Previous epidemiologic studies suggest that type II DM increases the risk of and mortality rate from cancer, especially GI cancers.4,5 A meta-analysis showed that type II DM is associated with a 30% increased risk of CRC in both sexes.6 Moreover, patients with CRC and type II DM had a 42% lower 5-year survival rate (all-cause mortality) and were 21% more likely to have CRC recurrence.7 The cause of this increased risk is still under investigation, but researchers have hypothesized that the increased levels of insulin and free insulin growth factor 1 may promote proliferation of CRC cells.8,9. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.