Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess environmental risk factors affecting breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancer and to assess risk levels before diagnosis using risk level determination programs. Materials and Methods: This research was done in Izmir Province Balcova district, a case-control type. A case group of patients with lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer was established between 2008 and 2013. The sociodemographic and individual characteristics, lifestyle and eating habits of participants were collected with a questionnaire. Cancer risk level of case and control groups was calculated. There were 57 breast, 52 prostate, 22 colorectal and 42 lung cancer cases in the case group. Breast cases were compared with 216 female controls. Prostate cancer cases were compared with 211 male controls. Colorectal and lung cancer cases were compared with 427 female and male controls. Results: Breast cancer risk was 2.36 times higher in those under the age of sixty. Breast cancer was found to be lower in overweight or obese groups. Lung cancer was 2,04 times higher in males, 4,10 times higher in current smokers and 2,19 times higher in ex-smokers. Conclusion: Relationship between breast cancer and age and body mass index; colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease; male, smoking and lung cancer was found. The inability to detect significant difference in the cancer risk levels of case and control groups may be due to the small number of cases, or the risk calculation programs are not suitable for the Turkish population.

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