A coordinated project between ICO (PI Víctor Moreno) and CREAL (PI Cristina Villanueva), ENTERICOS (Disinfection by-products and other environmental, genetic and molecular determinants of colorectal cancer - Subproductos de la desinfección y otros determinantes ambientales, genéticos y moleculares del cáncer colorectal en España), received funding from the Spanish Ministy of Health (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria) to continue its case- control study of colon cancer in Spain into 2011. 

The project aims to conduct a case -control study of colorectal cancer to evaluate the increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with chronic DBP exposure through ingestion, inhalation and dermal absorption. It will include 1500 cases and 1500 controls between 20 and 85 years old, living in the catchment area of the participating hospitals. Cases are patients newly diagnosed of colorectal cancer histologically confirmed. Controls are population-based, matched 1:1 to cases by sex, age (± 5 years) and ethnicity. Through a computer assisted personal interview information will be collected on water use and consumption, smoking, drug use, family history and socio-demographic factors. Information on nutrition will be obtained through a self-completed food frequency interview. Blood samples will be collected to extract DNA, serum and plasma, and evaluation of current and historical DBP levels through measurements in water samples and questionnaires to water companies. Chronic exposure through different water uses will be evaluated. It will estimate the risk of colorectal cancer associated with different markers of DBP exposure adjusting for potential confounders.