Relationship between Drinking Water Type and Colorectal Cancer in China: a Meta-analysis

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the type of drinking water and the incidence of colorectal cancer.

Methods All literatures on the relationship between the type of drinking water and the incidence of colorectal cancer were collected. Meta-analysis method was used to conduct heterogeneity test and the effect value combination, and to conduct group analysis and sensitivity analysis.

Results No association between drinking tap water/well water and colorectal cancer was found, the tap and well water overall summary of OR/RR and 95%CI were 0.860.63, 1.19, 0.490.18, 1.13respedively. Drinking surface water was significantly associated with an increase of colorectal cancer risk, the overall summary was OR/RR=2.591.05, 6.37.

Conclusion Drinking surface water was probably one of carcinogenic factors for colorectal cancer.