Publication:

Multiple behavioral risk factors causing cancer in rural women of Mysuru

Background Cancer has affected humans since pre-historic times, but in recent years its occurrence has sharply increased. The common causative factors are an individual’s diet, decreasing physical activity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Cancer deaths are increasingly popular as the world is ignorant of its harmful lifestyle habits. Interventions focusing on behavior change are key to curb diseases caused by behavioral risk factors. The aim of the study was to identify the association between multiple behavioral risk factors and cancer in rural women.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bharat hospital and Institute of oncology for a period of 5 months (February 2021-June 2021). A total of 380 rural women diagnosed with cancer were included in the study. A structured proforma was used to collect data about behavioral risk factors. The data was coded and entered in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistical analysis was done. Crosstables were constructed, Chi square test was done to find the association of behavioral risk factors causing cancer.

Results Significant association was found between the frequency of dairy products intake/week, frequency of fruits intake/week, frequency of vegetable intake/week, frequency of sweets intake/week, the frequency of tea, coffee consumption/day, frequency of smoking/week, frequency of snuff, sun protection practices and various cancers.

Conclusions Multiple behavioral risk factors like diet, physical activity, tobacco consumption, alcohol use, sun exposure, etc., are can be modified and treated. Proper education and health promotion are the keys to decrease non-communicable diseases.