The determination of the relationship between adherence with the mediterranean diet and the risk of cancer

The study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between the compliance with the Mediterranean diet and cancer risk of newly diagnosed cancer patients and participants who have not been diagnosed with cancer. The study was conducted with 265 individuals, including 128 cancer patients (case group) in suitable criteria, who applied to Private Antalya Medical Park Hospital Medical Oncology Outpatient Clinic and 128 in control group between December 2019-March 2020.Personal characteristics, nutritional habits, situations of physical activity, information about acquired diseases and anthropometric measurements of individuals were recorded in the questionnaire. Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to determine the nutritional status of individuals. Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale was used to determine the adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The mean age of individuals were 54.1±8.56 years and 49.9±10.24 years for case group and control group, respectively. It was determined that 59.4% of the case group and 33.6% of the control group had a family history of cancer. The most common types of cancer in the case group were determined as breast, lung, colon and rectal cancers (44.5%, 14.8%, 14.8%, respectively). Comorbid diseases were observed in 64.1% of the case group and 44.5% of the control group. Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to evaluate the anthropometric measurements of individuals. The mean BMI was determined as 27.1±4.80 kg/m² and 27.9±5.19 kg/m² for men and women in the case group, respectively. The mean BMI was determined as 27±2.99 kg/m² and 26.6±3.83 kg/m² for men and women in the control group, respectively. It was observed that the frequency of fruit consumption in the case group was higher than the control group, while the frequency of vegetable consumption was lower. It was determined that the frequency of sugary food consumption of the case group was higher than the control group.Adherence of individuals with the Mediterranean diet, for the case group and control groups, 61.2% are incompatible, 28.9% are acceptable, 3.9% are strictly compatible and 68% are incompatible, 27.3% are acceptable, 4.7% for case group and control group, respectively. It was determined that there was no significant difference between the average compliance of men and women to Mediterranean diet in the case and control groups (p>0.05). It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the anthropometric measurements of individuals according to their adaptation to the Mediterranean diet (p>0.05).The daily intake of sucrose, fructose, total fat, monounsaturated fatty acid, saturated fatty acid and zincwere observed lower in case group, who incompatible with the Mediterranean compared control group (p<0.05). The daily intake of total fiber, soluble fiber and vitamin B₆ were observed higher in case group,who incompatible with the Mediterranean compared control group (p <0.05).The daily intake of total energy and fructose were observed higher in case group, who strictly complied with the Mediterranean diet comparedcontrol group (p <0.05). The daily intake of total fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, vitamin B₁, potassium and magnesium were lower incase group, who strictly complied with the Mediterranean diet comparedcontrol group (p <0.05). As a result, this study revealed the difference in the nutritional habits of cancer patients and rest of the society. Also provided information on the relationship between cancer and the Mediterranean diet.