CORRELATION BETWEEN RISK FACTORS AND CLINICOPATHOLOGY OF COLORECTAL CANCER: AN OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major health concern globally, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. This observational cohort study was conducted at King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, focusing on non-modifiable risk factors associated with CRC among 182 patients diagnosed with advanced-stage disease from February 2017 to August 2020. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 18 or older with confirmed advanced CRC, while those with incomplete medical records or secondary cancers were excluded. Results revealed a higher CRC prevalence in men (60.43%) compared to women (39.56%), with the majority of cases occurring in the 51-60 age group. Smoking emerged as a significant risk factor, predominantly affecting men and correlating with an increased incidence of right-sided colon tumors. Obesity, as measured by BMI, was associated with an elevated risk of CRC across both genders, with a notable prevalence in the same age group. Alcohol consumption did not show a statistically significant correlation with CRC risk. Tumor differentiation patterns varied, with welldifferentiated tumors more common in the 51-60 age group. This study underscores the relevance of age, gender, and lifestyle factors in CRC risk, advocating for targeted preventive strategies and tailored therapeutic approaches to address these non-modifiable risk factors.