Cancer Risk Factors Among Omanis: A Review.

BACKGROUND

Studying risk factors for cancer is the way for prevention and control. This study aims to review analytic studies reporting the identified risk factors of cancer in Oman.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted on "PubMed database, Scopus database, and Google Scholar", using appropriate key terms/words. No date limits were defined until March 2019. Both; keyword and MeSH term strategies were used to retrieve studies.

RESULTS

This review yielded 10 analytic studies related to cancer risk factors in Oman, all of which utilized the case control design. Seven studies were related to various genetic factors, two were related to dietary factors and obesity, and one was related to diabetes as a risk factor. There was insufficient evidence available on essential modifiable risk factors such as smoking, use of alcohol, environmental factors and infectious agents.

CONCLUSION

The scanty local literature is focused on genetic, non-modifiable factors, and very little is related to modifiable factors which should be given more attention to allow prevention and control. Locally, this is challenged by training needs for health professionals, and availability of financial resources, emphasizing the need for multisectorial work.