Abdul Rahman M.F. Nahas et al., (2013) Int. J. Res. Pharm. Sci., 4(2), 194-197 194 ©JK Welfare & Pharmascope Foundation | International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences Diet and colorectal cancer: knowledge assessment among Malaysian university students Abdul Rahman M.F. Nahas*, Azmi Sarriff, Saad Othman School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800 Malaysia ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of dietary habits related to colorectal cancer (CRC) in a univeƌsity students’ population. A Ƌuestionnaiƌe-based survey was conducted among students from different schools and grades of studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) (n = 385), regarding knowledge of CRC and dietary habits. Only (34.8%) of students could correctly define CRC as cancer of colon and rectum and (55.3%) of them could not define diet as a risk factor for CRC. The overall score of knowledge was low (Mean ± SD = -4.27 ± 0.4). Majority of students showed lack of knowledge (71.9%). Inferential analysis revealed significant association and difference in knowledge among different sociodemographic subgroups. Keywords: Colorectal cancer (CRC); Dietary habits; Knowledge assessment INTRODUCTION The colorectal cancer (CRC) is defined as a malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine (the colon) or the rectum (the end of colon). CRC is one of the most insidious cancers and it was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both sexes in de- veloped countries (Sessa et al., 2008). According to the Malaysian National Cancer Council (MAKNA), CRC was the second most common cancer after breast cancer in Malaysia in 2007. In Malaysia a total of 2,246 cases of CRC were registered with National Cancer Registry (mNCR) in 2007, which represented 12.33 % of the total registered cases (MAKNA, 2007; mNCR, 2007). It was the second most cancer among males and females in Malaysia, and it is incidence increased with age, slightly higher among males compared to females, the highest among Chinese population and the lowest among Malays (mNCR, 2007). There are a lot of factors that would be considered risk factors for CRC; among which is diet. The correlation between dietary habits and cancer had been extensively studied, but no clear cut had been revealed from studies in order to prove the actual effect of diet and its risky or beneficial im- pact on cancer because of the potential for confound- ing factors (Key et al., 2002). However, compelling ex- perimental and epidemiological evidences indicated that diet and nutrition were key factors in the modula- tion of CRC (Lipkin et al., 1999). Among the dietary fac- tors, some were considered dietary risk and others were considered dietary protective factors for the de- velopment of CRC. Epidemiological data from various populations had suggested positive relationships be- tween the incidence of CRC and the consumption of meat and fat (Jenkins et al., 1986). Cooking meats at very high temperatures yielded chemicals that might contribute to the CRC. It had been confirmed that high intake of red meats and processed meats was positive- ly associated with the risk of CRC (Carlos et al., 2006). In the contrary; increased fish intake might have a pre- ventive effect on CRC (Jedrychowski et al., 2008). Fin- nish men who consumed the highest amounts of dairy products showed the least CRC incidence, while Danish men who consumed lower amounts of dairy products ranked high in CRC incidence (Jain et al., 1998). Increas- ing plant foods intake e.g., vegetables, fruits and ce- reals was effective in decreasing risk of CRC (Kushi et al., 2002; McKevith et al., 2004). It has been revealed from studies that there was an obvious lack of knowledge about diet as a risk for CRC. Understanding the dietary habits effects on CRC are vital aims for community education, public awareness and risk reduction (Wang et al., 2010). Although many studies assessed the knowledge of diet in relation to cancer (in general); only few studies have investigated human knowledge about diet that is related to CRC risk reduction. There is no published data on the know- ledge assessment of dietary habits related to CRC risk reduction in Malaysia; thus the aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of dietary habits related to CRC. The data provided by this study will help the concerned bodies in Malaysia in planning interventional strategies and in developing educational programs to maximize the knowledge of dietary habits related to CRC risk reduction. www.ijrps.pharmascope.org ISSN: 0975-7538 Short Communication * Corresponding Author Email: abd_mfn@hotmail.com Contact: +60-133726073 Received on: 16-02-2013 Revised on: 12-04-2013 Accepted on: 15-04-2013