Religion, Nutrition and Socioeconomic Factors: Influence on Head and Neck Cancer
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) - Year 2018, Vol 17, Issue 12
Abstract
Background: Head and neck cancer is common in several regions of the world. Multiple factors can be associated with occurrence of head and neck cancer. Our study was aimed at finding the influence of religion, nutrition, socioeconomic factors on development of head and neck cancer. Aims & objective: To study whether religion, nutrition, socioeconomic factors have a role in the development of head and neck cancer. Materials & methods: This is a descriptive study done on 100 head and neck cancer patients admitted in oncology ward of a tertiary medical college hospital in a city located on west coast of India. The ethics committee approval was obtained. The purpose of study was explained to the patient and informed consent was obtained. A questionnaire was framed and prevalidated. After obtaining informed consent interviewer administered the questions in native language. Inclusion criteria: Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers. Exclusion criteria: Patients with psychiatric disorder. The data collected were analysed by frequency and percentage. Results: A descriptive study was conducted among 100 Head and Neck Cancer patients. Low socioeconomic status as determined by Kuppuswamy socio economic status scale was common. Beary community were least affected i.e. only 10 per cent patients. None of the 100 patients consumed processed food. 25 % patients did not consume even one serving of fruits per week. 57% patients consumed meat. Fish was consumed by 50% subjects with majority patients preferring fried form of fish. A significant amount of Pickles and salted food was consumed by 87% subjects. Deep fried food was preferred by 46% patients with refined oil being used in majority. Reheating and reusing of oil was practiced by more than 80% subjects. 66% patients have habit of smoking and 40% consumed alcohol. 22% did not have practice of brushing teeth and only 8% had habit of visiting their dentist for yearly check-up. Conclusion: The development of head and neck cancers is influenced strongly by lifestyle factors. Risk factors like smoking are proscribed by certain religions. Beary the religion at Mangalore do not commonly smoke or drink. We found that incidence of head and neck cancer was relatively lower in this community in our study. Reusing oil was also common among patients perhaps because of low socio economic status and poor awareness. It was worrying to note that even among patients with cancer, knowledge of risk factor is poor. Therefore this study underlines that the awareness of risk factors like smoking must be propagated.
Authors and Affiliations
Spoorthi Ashok Pai, Smitha Bhat
Keywords
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- EP ID EP421611
- DOI 10.9790/0853-1712026466.
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