The advantages of this study included the following aspects: One, this is the first study to uncover the protective role of H19 gene rs2839698 polymorphism in CRC development; two, we observed that H19 gene rs2839698 polymorphism was related to a decreased risk for CRC in non‐smokers, non‐drinkers, and those aged ≥ 60 years; and three, the rs2839698 polymorphism was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and tumor size in patients with CRC. The gene discussed is H19; the disease is neoplasm.