Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment; Awareness, Mediterranean Diet, and Early Detection

Authors : Özge Bayrak, Mehmet Emin Arayici, Nurçin Kayacik, Selin Işidoğru, Setenay Yeşil, Hülya Ellidokuz, Ender Berat Ellidokuz

Pages : 286-295

Doi:10.30621/jbachs.1040841

View : 26 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2022-01-27

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC).is the second and third most common diagnosed cancer in women and men in worldwide, respectively. Nutrition, one of the modifiable risk factors, especially Mediterranean diet (MD) model, is an important place in the prevention of CRC. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of risk factors in patients without CRC and to evaluate the relationship.between CRC risk factors and having knowledge about nutrition compatible with the MD, and early detection methods. Meterials and Methods: In this study, the relationship between.MD and CRC risk was evaluated using CRC risk factors. A online survey consisting of 47 questions was prepared to collect the study data. Nutritional habits were evaluated using the "Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale”. Statistical analyses was performed that calculating all scores of CRC risk, MD compatibility, knowledge level about CRC and the attitude towards early diagnosis methods. In data analysis, descriptive statistics, Chi-Square Test, Fisher Exact Test, Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used. The statistical significance was evaluated as p<.05. Results: A total of 387 participant, 66.4% (n=257) female and 33.6% (n=130) male, were included.in this study. Mean age of research group was determined as 38±13 years. 85.8% of the research group had no family history of CRC. Mean score of Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale of participants was calculated as 7.31±1.9. The knowledge level score mean about CRC was found to be 10.4+2.3. It was found that 71.8% of participants who have high knowledge level, display nutrition behaviour compatible with MD. 64.3% of participant those who are compatible with the MD want to have a stool occult blood test. The rate of having a stool occult blood test is significantly higher in those who have MD compared to those who do not (p=.004). Conclusion: In this study, which was conducted to examine the CRC knowledge level, which is thought to be important about the risk and development of CRC, and the compatibility of the MD, there is a important relationship between the level of knowledge and the type of nutrition, but these data are not related to the risk of CRC. Further research in this area is recommended.
Keywords : colorectal cancer, mediterranean diet, nutrition, risk factors