Risk factors of gender, age, BMI, and behavioral aspects for Colorectal Cancer in European countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Risk factors for the onset of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk vary significantly across populations and regions. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined gender, age, BMI, and behavioral risk factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in European countries to identify and quantify their impact on CRC incidence and outcomes. Methods: A s ystematic literature review of observational studies with risk factors of behavioral factors, age, gender and BMI aspects was performed. The meta-analysis was carried out using log-risk ratio or standardized mean difference as the outcome measure and the random-effects model was fitted to the data. Results: From 3018 studies, nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. The risk factors of male sex, age, overweight/obese BMI, and alcohol consumption were all significantly associated with a higher risk of developing CRC in European countries. Smoking, low physical activity, high intake of processed meat, and low/no intake of vegetables/fruits were suggestive but statistically non-significant factors. Conclusion: The results of this study provide robust evidence for the significant association of demographic factors and modifiable lifestyle factors with CRC risk in European populations. Our findings are consistent with previous research and highlight the importance of addressing obesity and alcohol consumption through targeted public health initiatives.