Investigation of Cancer Risk Factors in the Lifestyle of Medical Students at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Every year, over ۱۰ million new cases of cancer are diagnosed worldwide. Cancers tend to be closely associated with lifestyle. This study aimed to investigate the lifestyle-related cancer risk factors in the medical students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on ۲۷۰ students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran, who were selected by convenience sampling. Data collection was performed with a lifestyle risk factor questionnaire, which was provided to students online. Data were analyzed with the statistical analysis software SPSS-۲۱ using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests at the ۰.۰۵ significance level. Results: All participants were in the ۲۲-۲۵ years old age range. About ۲۸% of participants were male and ۷۲% were female. Men showed higher awareness of cancer warning signs than women (p=۰.۰۴۶). Women were more active in taking protection measures against chemical substances than men (p=۰.۰۴۲). Men were in significantly better condition in terms of the use of hormones than women (p=۰.۰۴۸). Married people were also more active in taking protection measures against chemical substances than single people (p=۰.۰۴۲). Conclusion: Compared to other lifestyle risk factors for cancer, the surveyed medical students had particularly poor “eating habits” and “solar radiation exposure”. About half of the surveyed students had a high level of exposure to sunlight. Therefore, it is highly recommended to implement a program to raise students’ awareness of cancer risk factors and promote healthy lifestyles in this population.

Keywords:

lifestyle , cancer , risk factors , medical students