RISK FACTORS FOR PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS AMONG GEZIRA STATE-CENTRAL OF SUDAN

The aim of this study is to assess the risk factors for prostate cancer among Sudanese patients treated in National Cancer Institute (NCI), Gezira University, Wadmedani, Sudan. The study was performed on 268 prostate cancer patients, age ranging between 45-98 years. Similar number of 268 persons (age and sex matched) was used as control group .The study period was from May-2006 to December-2009. Data was collected from patients using a questionnaire which was filled in order to obtain information regarding: age, residence, tribe, education levels, occupation, marital status, stage of disease, family history and habits .The body mass index (BMI) was determined by anthropometrics measurements (weight and height). Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer among male patients treated in the NCI. The mean age of patients was 72.2±9.25. Most of patients (73.9%) were over 66-years. Family history is positive in 18 (6.7%) of the patients. Rural inhabitants were 79.8% of all cases. The disease is equally distributed among different tribes. The illiteracy among cases is 39.1%. The commonest occupation was farming (60.1%). Majority (90.7%) of the patients were married. Most cases (85.4%) presented with stage ІІІ and ІV. 73% of the patients had one or more of unhealthy habits (smoking, snuff and alcohol). the BMI was high in 6.9% of the patients. Risk factors for prostate cancer in the study area, which may appear to have a high significant effect, were: the age, education level, occupation, unhealthy habits and the BMI.