Association of Low Educational Attainment and Higher Colorectal Cancer Risk: Mediatory Effect of Lifestyle-Associated Factors Within Local Context

In our study, educational attainment was inversely correlated with the odds of CRC and might be mediated by physical activity, BMI, and intake of red meat, legumes, and vegetables. Taking other sociodemographic and lifestyle-associated factors into account, the association between lower educational attainment and higher odds of CRC was more substantial among men. These findings highlight the importance of promoting education and healthy lifestyle behaviors, particularly among men, as an essential part of targeted public health strategies in reducing burden of CRC.