Blood Copper Levels and the Occurrence of Colorectal Cancer in Poland

There is a need for sensitive and specific biomarkers for the early detection of colorectal cancer. In this retrospective study, we assessed whether a high blood copper level was associated with the presence of colorectal cancer. The blood copper level was measured among 187 colorectal cancer patients and 187 matched controls. Cases and controls were matched for sex, smoking status (yes/no) and year of birth. Among the cases, the mean blood copper level was 1031 mu g/L (range 657 mu g/L to 2043 mu g/L) and among the controls, the mean blood copper level was 864 mu g/L (range 589 mu g/L to 1433 mu g/L). The odds ratio for colorectal cancer for those in the highest quartile of copper level (versus the lowest) was 12.7 (95% CI: 4.98-32.3; p < 0.001). Of the patients with stage I-II colon cancer, 62% had a copper level in the highest quartile. A blood copper level in excess of 930 mu g/L is associated with an increase in the prevalence of colorectal cancer in the Polish population and its potential use in early detection programs should be considered.