Published 2025-11-10
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Abstract
Objective: This study is focused on the evaluation of demographic, lifestyle, and environmental risk factors associated with common types of cancers. Then, some attention will also be given to the regional distribution of disease and the awareness level of the diagnosed patients.
Methods: The research will be carried out in both urban and rural areas of Saudi Arabia in order to guarantee demographic and geographic representativeness. The Ministry of Health (MOH)-affiliated primary healthcare clinics, outpatient departments, cancer centers, and government hospitals will all provide data.
Results: The study included 414 participants. The most frequent age among them was 18-28 years old (n=189, 45.7%), followed by 30-39 years old (n=98, 22.5%), then 40-49 years old (n=63, 15.2%). The most frequent gender among study participants was female (n=224, 54.1%) and male (n=190, 45.9%). The most frequent nationality among study participants was Saudi (n= 355, 85.7%), followed by non-Saudi (n= 59, 14.3%). Occupation among study participants, with most of them were employed (n=199, 48.1%), followed by students (n=93, 22.5%), then unemployed (n=87, 21%), and at least retired (n=35, 8.5%). The participants were asked Have you been diagnosed with cancer? most of them answered no (n=406, 98.1%), and yes (n=8, 1.9%). Participants were asked if they undergo regular follow-ups/screening. Most of them answered no (n=186, 44.9%), followed by occasionally (n=131, 31.6%), then yes (n=97, 23.4%). Participants were asked Do you have any of the following chronic conditions? Most of them were obese (n=157, 37.9%), followed by hypertension (n=140, 33.8%), then diabetes (n=89, 21.5%). Participants were asked about visiting doctors. The most frequent were only when sick (n=190, 45.9%), followed by once a year (n=110, 26.6%), then never (n=77, 18.6%), and every few years (n=37, 8.9%). Participants were asked about awareness programs. The most frequent were no (n=228, 55.1%), and no (n=186, 44.9%). Participants were asked Do you think cancer is preventable through lifestyle modification; Most of them said yes (n=243, 58.7%), followed by not sure (n=89, 21.5%), then no (n=82, 19.8%).
Conclusion: The study showed significant associations between cancer diagnosis and several demographic and lifestyle factors, particularly age, nationality, occupation, smoking, alcohol use, fast-food consumption, and physical inactivity. Gender and marital status were not significantly associated.