Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(4), pp. 784 - 796
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130402
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Nutritional Risk and Protective Factors for Colorectal Cancer: A Knowledge Synthesis in North African Countries
Bouzini Ghizlan 1,*, Amzerin Mounia 2, Najdi Adil 3, EL M'rabet Fatima Zahra 2
1 Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University (UAE), Tangier, Morocco
2 Oncology Center of the Mohammed VI University Hospital of Tangier, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University (UAE), Morocco
3 Laboratory of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University (UAE), Morocco
ABSTRACT
For both sexes combined, colorectal cancer ranks third internationally. It is the second most common cause of cancer death. Significant associations between colorectal carcinogenesis and dietary habits have been confirmed by epidemiologic data from cancer research in different countries. In this context, we aim to review the published literature from North African countries investigating the associations between dietary factors and colorectal cancer. Through the PubMed, Scopus, sciencedirect, Web of Science and Springer databases, we conducted literature search using the following keywords: colorectal cancer, colorectal adenocarcinoma, risk factors, protective factors, nutrition, diet, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, and Mauritania. All papers with data related to the diet鈥抍olorectal cancer association were selected without any restrictions regarding sample size, data sources, language or year of publication. A total of 21 retrospective papers were reviewed for relevant data extraction. Based on these findings, scientific consensus confirmed the association between diet and colorectal cancer. However, published data from North African countries remain insufficient and nuanced. Only processed meat, red meat, and alcohol were agreed as dietary risk factors and the Mediterranean diet, dairy products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables as dietary protective factors. Data on other dietary factors are inconsistent and sometimes paradoxical. This justifies the great interest in approaching this preventive dimension with more national, multicenter, prospective studies.
KEYWORDS
Colorectal Cancer, Risk Factors, Protective Factors, Diet, North African Countries
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Bouzini Ghizlan , Amzerin Mounia , Najdi Adil , EL M'rabet Fatima Zahra , "Nutritional Risk and Protective Factors for Colorectal Cancer: A Knowledge Synthesis in North African Countries," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 784 - 796, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130402.
(b). APA Format:
Bouzini Ghizlan , Amzerin Mounia , Najdi Adil , EL M'rabet Fatima Zahra (2025). Nutritional Risk and Protective Factors for Colorectal Cancer: A Knowledge Synthesis in North African Countries. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(4), 784 - 796. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130402.