Several studies have examined the association between the XRCC1 Arg280His polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk and found no measurable association.11,14,15,18 In the present study, the Arg280His polymorphism was not significantly associated with the overall risk of colorectal cancer, although a modifying effect between risk and alcohol consumption was observed. This evidence concerns the gene XRCC1 and colorectal cancer.