FOOD INSECURITY IS A SERIOUS RISK FACTOR FOR UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL CANCERS: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Background and Aim: Food security is the most important factor for a permanent active and healthy life. Food insecurity (FI) has the different potential health consequences. The prevalence of FI and upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers (esophagus and stomach) are emerging in Iran. This study planned to assess the food insecurity status among newly diagnosed patients with upper GI cancers.Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 240 patients with upper GI cancers (cases, n=120) and orthopedic, ear-nose-throat (ENT), and neurologic diseases (controls, n=120) in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran. The participants were selected according to eligibility criteria and endoscopy/imaging/biopsy method. The age, gender distribution, and residential area were controlled using matching. They were interviewed for the general characteristics and the food security status questionnaires. The statistical analysis was done using the STATA11SE software.Results: 69.2 % of cases and 43.3 % of controls were food-insecure. Food insecurity, family history of cancer, and poor economic status were the serious risk factors for upper GI cancers (P<0.05).Conclusion: Food insecurity was a serious risk factor for upper GI cancers. So, improving the community food security may reduce many health problems such as cancer.

Keywords:

Food insecurity , Upper gastrointestinal , Cancer , Iran