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. 2024 Feb;31(1):212-234.
doi: 10.21315/mjms2024.31.1.18. Epub 2024 Feb 28.

Dietary Patterns and Lifestyle Factors Associated with the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study among Malaysians

Sook Yee Lim  1 , Vaidehi Ulaganathan  1 , Padmini Nallamuthu  1 , Baskaran Gunasekaran  1 , Shamala Salvamani  2
Affiliations

Dietary Patterns and Lifestyle Factors Associated with the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study among Malaysians

Sook Yee Lim et al. Malays J Med Sci. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the association between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk among the Malaysian population.

Methods: We recruited 100 patients and 100 controls from two selected government hospitals. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns using a 123-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption questionnaires were modified from the WHO STEPS Survey questionnaire. Physical activity levels were assessed using the revised Global Physical Activity questionnaire. Associations between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors and CRC risk were assessed using logistic regression with SPSS version 24.0.

Results: Three dietary patterns were derived from factor analysis: i) vegetables; ii) meat, seafood and processed food; and iii) grains and legumes. High vegetable diet intake was independently and significantly associated with an 81% decreased risk of CRC (odds ratio [OR]: 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08, 0.46). Both recreational-related physical activity (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.64) and vigorous physical activity (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.74) are significantly associated with decreased risk of CRC. Increasing the number of cigarettes smoked (≥ 16 cigarettes) per day significantly increased the odds of developing CRC (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.95, 6.75). The duration of alcohol consumption cessation was inversely associated with CRC risk (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 2.30, 10.57).

Conclusion: The protective effects of a fruit and vegetable diet, and a healthy lifestyle can be used to develop interventions that help reduce the risk of CRC in the Malaysian population.

Keywords: case-control studies; colorectal cancer; dietary patterns; factor analysis; physical activity; sedentary behaviour; smoking.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of cancer sites by gender among CRC patients
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of cancer stage by gender among CRC patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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