S474 Epidemiological Characteristics and Risk Factor Associations of Colorectal Cancer in a Community Health Setting in the Appalachian Region (2020-2024)

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, particularly in underserved and high-risk populations such as those in the Appalachian region. This study evaluates the demographic and behavioral risk profiles of CRC patients in a community health setting, with a focus on lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and family history. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from 429 patients diagnosed with CRC between January 2020 and December 2024 at a community health center in Appalachia. The variables analyzed included gender, race, smoking status, alcohol consumption, obesity, and family history of cancer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY), employing Chi-square tests for categorical variables and a significance threshold set at P < 0.05. Results: Of the 429 CRC patients, 84 (19.6%) were women and 345 (80.4%) were men (χ² (1) = 158.8, P < 0.001), indicating a significantly higher proportion of males. Racial distribution was predominantly White (n = 405, 94.4%), with 20 Black (4.7%) and 4 Asian Indian (0.9%) patients. Regarding smoking status: 219 (51.0%) were current smokers, 39 (9.1%) were former smokers, and 171 (39.9%) never smoked. A significant association was found between current smoking and CRC diagnosis (χ² (2) = 11.24, P = 0.004). Alcohol use was reported by 203 (47.3%) patients; 226 (52.7%) reported no alcohol consumption. Alcohol use was significantly associated with CRC (χ² (1) = 6.38, P = 0.012). Obesity was noted in 78 (18.2%) patients, which was significantly associated with CRC diagnosis (χ² (1) = 4.76, P = 0.029). Family history of cancer was reported in 229 (53.4%) of patients and showed a strong association with CRC (χ² (1) = 35.69, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights a significantly disproportionate burden of colorectal cancer among males in the Appalachian region, alongside a strong association with modifiable risk factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity. The prevalence of family history suggests a potential genetic predisposition in this population. These findings underscore the need for targeted screening, public health interventions, and lifestyle modification strategies tailored to high-risk Appalachian communities.