The present study shows that when compared with non-cancer, the presence of cancer was associated with a significantly higher proportion of cases with an elevated C-reactive protein (>10 mg l−1, 47 vs 39%) and lower albumin (<35 g l−1, 19 vs 14%) concentrations, higher adjusted calcium (>2.60 mmol l−1, 4 vs 2%), Alk phos (>280 U l−1, 16 vs 12%) and GGT (⩾40 U l−1 in females, ⩾70 U l−1 in males, 29 vs 25%) and lower ALT levels (⩾50 U l−1, 10 vs 12%). This evidence concerns the gene ALB and cancer.