Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer; A Case-Control Study

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest malignant tumors worldwide. Life style factors may contribute to the etiology of colorectal cancer as they are modifiable. A better understanding of the associations between lifestyle related factors and colorectal cancer risk may be of importance in order to develop novel strategies for prevention of the disease. This study aimed at identifying some risk factors of developing colorectal cancer and assessing the validity of carcinoembryonic antigen as a screening test for colorectal cancer. Subject and methods: Case-control study, hospital-based study, 25 cases and 100 controls investigated by colonoscopy and confirmed histologically between October 2011 and March 2013. Results: All cases were adenocarcinoma among them 18 (72%) cases were well to moderately differentiated carcinoma. The majority of the cases were diagnosed as pT1 (80%); whereas the minority were pT3 (12%). There was a significant association between history of diabetes mellitus, high BMI (>30), smoking and dietary habits (p < 0.05),while age, sex of participant and family history of colorectal cancer, physical activity and NSAID intake were not significantly associated with colorectal cancer (p > 0.05). The best combined sensitivity and specificity of CEA was at cutoff 5.5 mcg/dl. Conclusion: Exposure to personal and environmental risk factors play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer