WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Abbas Ejbary Kawad, Nagham Abbas Naser and Ameena Abdulrahman Saleh

ABSTRACT

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health concern worldwide, with various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors contributing to its development. Understanding the risk factors associated with CRC is essential for early detection, prevention, and improved treatment strategies, particularly in regions with limited cancer registry data, such as Basrah, Iraq. Aim: This study aimed to explore the association between colorectal cancer and selected sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors in patients from Basrah governorate. Method: A case-control study was conducted in Basrah in 2017. The study included 50 histopathologically confirmed CRC cases from the Oncology Centre at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital. A control group of 100 individuals, free from colorectal cancer and matched for age, sex, and residence, was selected for comparison. Data on smoking, dietary habits, family history of CRC, history of other cancers, education level, age, and occupation were collected and analyzed. Results: The study identified a significant association between colorectal cancer and smoking, red meat consumption, family history of CRC, and a history of other cancers. However, no clear association was found between CRC and education level, age, or occupational field. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role of environmental and lifestyle factors in CRC development. Strengthening cancer registration in Basrah is crucial for future research and healthcare planning. Expanding this study on a larger scale is recommended to validate the findings.