Nutritional Factors Associated with Breast Cancer in Gaza Strip - Palestine: A Hospital Based Study

Aim: To reveal the relationship between nutritional factors and dietary behavior and the occurrence of breast cancer in Gaza Strip.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective case-control study that consisted of 150 participants, conducted in Al-shifa hospital at Gaza Strip. A seven-day food frequency questionnaire, Anthropometric, Lipid profile (Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and Triglyceride) and CBC tests were conducted for cases and controls. SPSS software was used to analyze obtained data.

Results: The study reveals that 72% of Breast cancer patients were >45 years old compared to 53.3% of controls with the same age. 20% of Breast cancer patients have family history compared to 3% of control group. The mean of menarche and marital age for breast cancer was higher in control. Fertility rates among cases were lower than in control. The mean of parity for breast cancer was 6.83 compare to 6.01 of control. Breastfeeding and duration among controls was significantly higher than breast cancer patients. Pills intake and injection hormones among breast cancer patients were significantly higher than in controls. There are significant differences in diet behavior among cases and control; 32.0% of case eat overcooked meat compare with 21.3% of controls; 69.3% of cases eat skinned chicken compare with 44.0% controls; 78.7% of breast cancer patients were eating whole fat dairy product compare to 45.3% of controls. 58.7% of breast cancer patients who have eaten vegetables and fruits daily compare to 88% of controls; about 56% of breast cancer drink less than one liter of water per day compare to 29.3% of controls.

Conclusion: The study concluded that breast cancer patients are less physically active, more obese, consume more oil and fat, eat more red meat, consume fruit and vegetable less frequently and are more exposed to stress.