Multifactorially adjusted HRs of any cancer were 1.40 (1.13–1.73) for individuals with CRP ⩾1.7 mg l−1 and YKL-40 <154 μg l, 1.54 (0.98–2.43) for individuals with CRP <1.7 mg l and YKL-40 ⩾154 μg l, and 1.62 (1.18–2.23) for individuals with CRP ⩾1.7 mg l and YKL-40 ⩾154 μg l compared to individuals with CRP <1.7 mg l and YKL-40 <154 μg l (Figure 3). Here, CHI3L1 is linked to cancer.