Modifiable risk factors for cancer in the middle East and North Africa: a scoping review

Purpose This scoping review examines controllable predisposing factors attributable to cancer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s adult population, highlighting opportunities to enhance cancer prevention programs.

Design We systematically searched the PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from 1997 to 2022 for articles reporting on the impact of modifiable risk factors on adult patients with cancer in the MENA region.

Results The review identified 42 relevant articles, revealing that tobacco consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, and diet are significant modifiable risk factors for cancer in the region.

Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of lung, bladder, squamous cell carcinoma, and colorectal cancer.

A shift towards a westernized, calorie-dense diet has been observed, with some evidence suggesting that a Mediterranean diet may be protective against cancer.

Obesity is a known risk factor for cancer, particularly breast malignancy, but further research is needed to determine its impact in the MENA region.

Physical inactivity has been linked to colorectal cancer, but more studies are required to establish this relationship conclusively.

Alcohol consumption, infections, and exposure to environmental carcinogens are additional risk factors, although the literature on these topics is limited.

Conclusion The review emphasizes the need for further research and the development of targeted cancer prevention strategies in the MENA region.