Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors in Adults in Nigeria

Importance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, where more than half of patients die within 1 year due to late diagnosis and limited treatment. Without ready access to screening, identifying risk factors is critical. However, regional data are scarce, and it is unclear whether risk factors from high-income populations apply to Nigerians, who may have distinct clinicodemographic patterns and tumor characteristics. Objective: To assess whether 13 CRC risk factors identified in high-income populations are associated with CRC in adults in Nigeria. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter case-control study was conducted in 6 hospitals across 3 of Nigeria's 6 geopolitical zones, with recruitment from April 2020 to September 2024. Participants were patients newly diagnosed with CRC and cancer-free controls matched on age, sex, location, education, and recruitment site. Data were analyzed from April 2023 to November 2025. Exposures: Family history of cancer, anthropometric factors (adult height, body mass index [BMI], and somatotype or body size over the life course), physical activity, and dietary and lifestyle factors (processed meat, red meat, fruit, vegetables, fiber, alcohol, smoking, and diabetes). Main Outcomes and Measures: The associations of risk factors with CRC were assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs, estimated using multivariable unconditional logistic regression. Results: Among 2063 participants (1103 [53.5%] male; median [IQR] age, 54 [42-64] years) enrolled, most had secondary education or higher (1756 participants [85.2%]), lived in urban areas (1817 participants [88.1%]), and were Yoruba (1524 participants [73.9%]). Cases were older than controls (median [IQR] age, 56 [45-66] vs 52 [41-63] years) but were otherwise similar. Family history of cancer (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.06-2.26), adult height (OR per 5-cm increase, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20), body size or type over the life course (tertile 3 vs tertile 1: OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.30-2.72), and processed meat intake (lowest vs highest tertile of intake: OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.07-1.91) were positively associated with CRC risk, and an inverse U-shaped association was identified between physical activity and CRC risk (OR vs first quartile of activity, quartile 2: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44-0.88; quartile 3: 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34-0.79; quartile 4: 0.77; 95% CI, 0.58-1.02), consistent with data from high-income populations. BMI was inversely associated with CRC risk (OR vs BMI 18.5-24.9, BMI <18.5: 2.63; 95% CI, 1.79-3.86; BMI ≥30: 0.42; 95% CI, 0.28-0.63), likely reflecting prediagnostic weight loss. No associations with diabetes, smoking, or intakes of red meat, fruit, vegetables, fiber, or alcohol were observed, likely due to low prevalence or variability. Conclusions and Relevance: This case-control study of CRC risk factors in adults in Nigeria found CRC risk patterns similar to those observed in high-income populations. These insights offer immediate opportunity to tailor education, prevention, and early detection in the region, especially as economic development leads to lifestyles more similar to high-income populations. These data provide a foundation for prospective research and investigations in other African populations.

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Journal
JAMA Network Open
Published
2026-08-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.26716
Primary Topic
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
Type
article
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article

Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors in Adults in Nigeria

Omolade Adefolabi Betiku, Abba Bukar Zarami, ALI NUHU, Israel Adeyemi Owoade et al.
JAMA Network Open
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
article

Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors in Adults in Nigeria

Omolade Adefolabi Betiku, Abba Bukar Zarami, ALI NUHU, Israel Adeyemi Owoade, Olanrewaju Balogun, Chukwuma Okereke, Noah C. Peeri, Matthew O. Bojuwoye, Adeleye Dorcas Omisore, Adeoluwa Oluwaseyi Adeleye, Samuel Olatoke, Foluso Omodele, FB Abdulkareem, Marguerite L. Samson, Ayodele Sanni, Olusegun Isaac Alatise, Thomas Olajide, Julia Jackman, Olaejirinde Olaniyi Olaofe, Cara Cookey, Emmanella Nwachukwu, Olaleke Oluwasegun Folaranmi, Olukayode Adegboyega, Ayomide Makanjuola, Christopher Oluwasesan Bamidele, Rivka Kahn, Cristina Olcese, O. Famurewa, Nafisat Olayinka Olatunde Lawal, Oluwabusayomi Roseline Ademakinwa, B M Gali, Cephas Shallangwa Batta, Oluwatosin Zainab Omoyiola, Samson Oluwagbemiga Ogunleye, Olayinka Lukman Adewunmi, Abiodun Victor Ikujenlola, Abdulrazzak Lawal, Mengmeng Du, Haruna Asura Nggada, Adedapo Osinowo, Sulaiman Olayide Agodirin, Akinwumi O. Komolafe, Feyisayo Yvonne Daji, Naqiya Rahil Choonawala, Adewumi Alabi, Adewale Adisa, Funmilola Wuraola, Oluwaseun Esan, Anthonia Sowunmi, Iloba Njokanma, Adeleye Adeomi, Adesegun Fatusi, Charles Onyekwere, T. Peter Kingham, Tajudeen Mohammed, Olawale Ayodele Badejo, Ojajuni Titilope Adebukola, Adedeji Egberongbe, Adewale Aderounmu, Mobolaji Oludara, Mariam Adenike Koiki, Olusola Kayode Fasiku, Abraham Pavino Lawrence, Rufina Igetei, Oluwasuyi Emmanuel Ige, Omolola Ajewole, Muhammed Y. M. Habeeb, Habila Ulea Na’aya, Alexia Iasonos, Avinash Sharma, Usman Samuel Nganjiwa, Olufemi Ariyibi, Rasaaq Oyesegun, Tunde Odunafolabi, Adepoju Oluseyi Francis, Habeeb Abdulrasheed Shittu, Aba Katung, Olalekan Olasehinde, Olusegun Joshua Babatunde, Jacob Mobolaji, Abdulfatai Olokoba, Kabir Badmos, Ryan Fodero, Peter Olufemi Ologunagba, Grace Gallagher, Kelli O’Connell, Abdullateef Temitope Sulaiman
article en

Abstract

Importance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, where more than half of patients die within 1 year due to late diagnosis and limited treatment. Without ready access to screening, identifying risk factors is critical. However, regional data are scarce, and it is unclear whether risk factors from high-income populations apply to Nigerians, who may have distinct clinicodemographic patterns and tumor characteristics. Objective: To assess whether 13 CRC risk factors identified in high-income populations are associated with CRC in adults in Nigeria. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter case-control study was conducted in 6 hospitals across 3 of Nigeria's 6 geopolitical zones, with recruitment from April 2020 to September 2024. Participants were patients newly diagnosed with CRC and cancer-free controls matched on age, sex, location, education, and recruitment site. Data were analyzed from April 2023 to November 2025. Exposures: Family history of cancer, anthropometric factors (adult height, body mass index [BMI], and somatotype or body size over the life course), physical activity, and dietary and lifestyle factors (processed meat, red meat, fruit, vegetables, fiber, alcohol, smoking, and diabetes). Main Outcomes and Measures: The associations of risk factors with CRC were assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs, estimated using multivariable unconditional logistic regression. Results: Among 2063 participants (1103 [53.5%] male; median [IQR] age, 54 [42-64] years) enrolled, most had secondary education or higher (1756 participants [85.2%]), lived in urban areas (1817 participants [88.1%]), and were Yoruba (1524 participants [73.9%]). Cases were older than controls (median [IQR] age, 56 [45-66] vs 52 [41-63] years) but were otherwise similar. Family history of cancer (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.06-2.26), adult height (OR per 5-cm increase, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20), body size or type over the life course (tertile 3 vs tertile 1: OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.30-2.72), and processed meat intake (lowest vs highest tertile of intake: OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.07-1.91) were positively associated with CRC risk, and an inverse U-shaped association was identified between physical activity and CRC risk (OR vs first quartile of activity, quartile 2: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44-0.88; quartile 3: 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34-0.79; quartile 4: 0.77; 95% CI, 0.58-1.02), consistent with data from high-income populations. BMI was inversely associated with CRC risk (OR vs BMI 18.5-24.9, BMI <18.5: 2.63; 95% CI, 1.79-3.86; BMI ≥30: 0.42; 95% CI, 0.28-0.63), likely reflecting prediagnostic weight loss. No associations with diabetes, smoking, or intakes of red meat, fruit, vegetables, fiber, or alcohol were observed, likely due to low prevalence or variability. Conclusions and Relevance: This case-control study of CRC risk factors in adults in Nigeria found CRC risk patterns similar to those observed in high-income populations. These insights offer immediate opportunity to tailor education, prevention, and early detection in the region, especially as economic development leads to lifestyles more similar to high-income populations. These data provide a foundation for prospective research and investigations in other African populations.

JAMA Network OpenVol. 9(8)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (US), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US), Kaiser Permanente (US), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (NG), National Hospital Abuja (NG), Federal Medical Centre (NG), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (NG), Federal Medical Centre (NG), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (NG), French Institute for Research in Africa (NG), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (NG), Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (US), Obafemi Awolowo University (NG), University of Maiduguri (NG)
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Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
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