Considering the strong association between metabolic dysregulation and CRC risk, and the higher rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome in Hispanics and African Americans, we postulate that aberrant DNA hypermethylation at the MFAP2 promoter may suppress MFAP2 expression and predispose these minorities to EOCRC or EOCRC risk factors. The gene discussed is MFAP2; the disease is metabolic syndrome.