Diet and Genetic Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer in Palestine: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

To add evidence to the limited data available on colorectal cancer (CRC) from Palestine, we examine the risk factors associated with CRC using a matched hospital-based case-control study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 105 cases and 105 controls. A multivariable conditional regression model was used to adjust for the association between study factors and CRC risk. In the model, compared with controls, cases from villages were significantly less likely to have CRC (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR = 0.194); taking aspirin lowered the likelihood of CRC by 24%; and having a multiple birth sibling by 33%. Also, the likelihood of CRC was lowered significantly by consuming five servings of fruits/vegetables per week or more (5–6 servings: AOR = 0.21, 7–8 servings per week: AOR = 0.04). However, cases had a significantly higher likelihood of CRC if they consumed 2–4 servings of grilled red meat per week (AOR = 4.25); smoked (AOR = 4.38); had a sedentary lifestyle (AOR = 2.53); reported parental consanguinity (AOR = 3.88); or had a family history of cancer (AOR = 6.39). Our results confirmed the association between CRC and red meat intake and smoking, and proved that parental consanguinity and family history of cancer are also risk factors for CRC.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all participants for their willingness to participate and the Ministry of Health teams for facilitating the study implementation. Also, the authors wish to express their gratitude to Al Quds University for funding this research.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study was approved by Al Quds University Ethical Research Committee, which is based on the Helsinki declarations. Therefore, all study methods were performed following the Helsinki guidelines and regulations. Al Quds University ethical research regulations adhere to Helsinki regulations. Written approval was obtained from the Ministry of Health to access patient records from the oncology department and cancer registry. All particiapnts provided written informed consent.

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The authors are alone responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Author Contributions

Nuha El Sharif was responsible for the Conceptualization, Methodology, Visualization, Writing - Original draft preparation. Nuha El Sharif and Issa Ghrouz designed the survey and developed the study tool. Issa Ghrouz was responsible for data collection, data entry, and primary analysis. Nuha El Sharif and Issa Ghrouz participated in the study of advanced analysis and the development of study tables. Issa Ghrouz and Nuha El Sharif were responsible for writing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Availability of Data and Materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Al Quds University research funds.