Welcome  to  Public  Health  moment from  the  University  of  Minnesota. Older  women  with  diabetes  are  more  than twice  as  likely  to  develop  colorectal  cancer. That's  according  to  a  Mayo  Clinic  study  of data  involving  nearly  40,000  women. Kristen  Anderson,  a  University  of  Minnesota cancer  epidemiologist, was  one  of  the  studies  researchers. These  women  were  initially  surveyed  in  1986 about  basic  health  questions  and  lifestyle  factors. And  they've  been,  well, they've  been  followed  ever  since for  cancer  and  other  health  end  points. Data  from  this  study  show  what  we've  seen  before. They  provide  further  evidence  that diabetes  is  a  risk  factor  for  colorectal  cancer. Anderson  says  the  results  do  not change  screening  recommendations  for  individuals, but  provide  scientists  with  more  evidence  to  explore. These  findings  really  are  most important  to  other  scientists  because  they might  give  us  clues  as  to  why diabetes  is  associated  with  colon  cancer. If  we  understood  this,  it  might  give  us  tools to  prevent  colon  cancer  more  effectively. The  recommendations  currently  in place  are  not  changed  by  these  data. People  who  are  aged  50  or  older should  talk  to  their  Dr.  about  getting screened  for  colorectal  cancer  for John  Finnegan  and  public  health  moment on  Mark  Anka  Breton.