FTO and colorectal adenoma: African-Americans with the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism have a higher body mass index (BMI) and colorectal adenomas (21) Adipokines and FTO gene polymorphisms interact to promote colorectal cancer, according to Yamaji et al. Other studies have, however, failed to find a link between FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and CRC (22, 23).