|
East and Central African Journal of Surgery
Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
ISSN: 1024-297X EISSN: 1024-297X
Vol. 17, No. 2, 2012, pp. 70-73
|
Bioline Code: js12038
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
|
|
East and Central African Journal of Surgery, Vol. 17, No. 2, 2012, pp. 70-73
en |
Ethnic differences in Colon and Rectal Cancer incidence in Nigeria: a case of dietary determinants?
Irabor, D.O.
Abstract
Colorectal cancer has for a long time occurred at lower rates in the native African than in
Caucasians. The reasons adduced have included the lack of premalignant conditions like polyps
and ulcerative colitis and majorly to the high fibre, low animal protein diet that Africans consume.
Nigeria has a low colorectal cancer incidence and within this milieu the incidence between the
various ethnic tribes also varies with some particular tribes exhibiting negligible incidence rates. If
moving from a location of low colorectal cancer incidence to one of high colorectal cancer incidence
predisposes one to develop the disease, could not the converse apply and those with a predisposition
to developing the disease experience some protection when they live or interact with those with
negligible predisposition? This study was aimed at giving an impetus to research on the peoples of
the riverine areas of Nigeria in a bid to unravel the cancer-preventive factors either in their diet or
environment for the good of those from the Western world.
|
|
© Copyright 2012 - East and Central African Journal of Surgery
|
|