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Special Issue "The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival"

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 20114

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vincenza Gianfredi

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Guest Editor

School of Medicine Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
Interests: epidemiology; cancer prevention; public health; health promotion; lifestyle behavior; health education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Daniele Nucci

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Guest Editor

Research Dietitian-Nutritionist, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
Interests: human nutrition; cancer prevention; culinary nutrition; colon cancer; esophageal cancer; Barrett’s esophagus; nutrition education; mental health; health promotion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH), we are organizing a Special Issue on the role of lifestyle in gastrointestinal cancers: prevention, treatment and survival. IJERPH is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes manuscripts in the interdisciplinary area of environmental health sciences and public health.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers include five major types of cancers (stomach, liver, esophagus, pancreas, and colorectum) with approximately 5 million new cases and 4 million deaths worldwide in 2018. GI cancers are predicted to increase by 2040. These data highlight the continuing challenge that GI cancers present to public health.

In most cases, these five types of cancers share the same modifiable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, smoking, infection, diet, and obesity, showing a large margin for intervention in prevention, treatment, and survival. In fact, with the exception of colorectal cancer, the prognosis tends to be poor, mostly due to the late-stage diagnoses and reduced treatment options. Considering that the incidence of GI cancers is forecast to increase (from 58% to 73%, in the next decades), and taking into account that most of the risk factors are modifiable and attributable to lifestyle, new studies are needed in order to assess their role in the prevention, treatment, and survival of GI cancers.

This Special Issue of IJERPH focuses on the current state of knowledge on the links between a broad range of lifestyle factors (including but not limited to diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption) and GI cancers. New research papers, reviews, case reports, and protocol studies are welcome to this Issue. Special attention will be paid to original research (including systematic reviews). Studies do not necessarily have to offer “positive results” (i.e., results confirming previous literature).

Dr. Vincenza Gianfredi
Dr. Daniele Nucci
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

gastrointestinal cancer
lifestyle
diet
cancer prevention
cancer treatment
cancer survivors

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Using Google Trends and Wikipedia to Investigate the Global Public’s Interest in the Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis of a Celebrity

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032106 - 24 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1677

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the impact of a celebrity’s announcement of having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on the volume of cancer-related research on the Internet. Global searches were carried out on Google Trends (GT) for the period from 1 January 2004 to 20 November 2022 (since data prior to 2004 were not available) using the search words Tumore del Pancreas (pancreatic cancer), Tumore neuroendocrino (neuroendocrine tumor), and Fedez (the name of a popular Italian rapper). The frequency of specific page views for Fedez, Tumore del pancreas, and Tumore neuroendocrino was collected via Wikipedia Trends data. Statistical analyses were carried out using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). The GT data revealed a strong correlation (r = 0.83) while the Wikipedia Trends data indicated a moderate correlation (r = 0.37) for Tumore neuroendocrino and Tumore del pancreas. The search peaks for the GT and Wikipedia pages occur during the same time period. An association was found between the celebrity’s announcement of his pancreatic cancer diagnosis and the volume of pancreatic-cancer-related online searches. Our findings demonstrate that media events and media coverage of health-related news can raise people’s curiosity and desire for health information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Open AccessArticle

Screening Intention Prediction of Colorectal Cancer among Urban Chinese Based on the Protection Motivation Theory

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4203; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074203 - 01 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1417

Abstract

Colorectal cancer poses a serious threat worldwide. Although early screening has been proved to be the most effective way to prevent and control colorectal cancer, the current situation of colorectal cancer screening remains not optimistic. The aim of this article is to apply the protection motivation theory (PMT) to examine the influencing factors on screening intention of colorectal cancer (CRC). This cross-sectional survey was launched in five communities in Wuhan, China. All the eligible urban Chinese were recruited and interviewed using paper-and-pencil questionnaires. The intention of colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) was measured using six PMT subconstructs, including perceived risk, perceived severity, fear arousal, response efficacy, response cost, and self-efficacy. Data on sociodemographic variables and knowledge of CRC were also collected. The structural equation modeling (SEM) method was used for data analysis. Among all the 569 respondents, 83.66% expressed willingness to participate in CRCS. Data of the research fit the proposed SEM model well (Chi-square/df = 2.04, GFI = 0.93, AGFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.91, IFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.04). Two subconstructs of PMT (response efficacy and self-efficacy) and CRC knowledge were directly and positively associated with screening intention. Age, social status, medical history, physical activity, and CRC knowledge were indirectly related to the screening intention through at least one of the two PMT subconstructs (response efficacy and self-efficacy). The findings of this study suggest the significance of enhancing response efficacy and self-efficacy in motivating urban Chinese adults to participate in CRC screening. Knowledge of CRC is significantly associated with screening intention. This study can provide useful information for the formulation and improvement of colorectal cancer screening strategies and plans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Open AccessArticle

Cost-Effectiveness of Colorectal Cancer Genetic Testing

Abdul Rahman Ramdzan

Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf

Azimatun Noor Aizuddin

Zarina A. Latiff

Keng Wee Teik

Gaik-Siew Ch'ng

Kurubaran Ganasegeran

and

Syed Mohamed Aljunid

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8330; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168330 - 06 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2058

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Approximately 3–5% of CRCs are associated with hereditary cancer syndromes. Individuals who harbor germline mutations are at an increased risk of developing early onset CRC, as well as extracolonic tumors. Genetic testing can identify genes that cause these syndromes. Early detection could facilitate the initiation of targeted prevention strategies and surveillance for CRC patients and their families. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of CRC genetic testing. We utilized a cross-sectional design to determine the cost-effectiveness of CRC genetic testing as compared to the usual screening method (iFOBT) from the provider’s perspective. Data on costs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 200 CRC patients from three specialist general hospitals were collected. A mixed-methods approach of activity-based costing, top-down costing, and extracted information from a clinical pathway was used to estimate provider costs. Patients and family members’ HRQoL were measured using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Data from the Malaysian Study on Cancer Survival (MySCan) were used to calculate patient survival. Cost-effectiveness was measured as cost per life-year (LY) and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The provider cost for CRC genetic testing was high as compared to that for the current screening method. The current practice for screening is cost-saving as compared to genetic testing. Using a 10-year survival analysis, the estimated number of LYs gained for CRC patients through genetic testing was 0.92 years, and the number of QALYs gained was 1.53 years. The cost per LY gained and cost per QALY gained were calculated. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) showed that genetic testing dominates iFOBT testing. CRC genetic testing is cost-effective and could be considered as routine CRC screening for clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

The Rise of Gastrointestinal Cancers as a Global Phenomenon: Unhealthy Behavior or Progress?

Silvia Rodrigues Jardim

Lucila Marieta Perrotta de Souza

and

Heitor Siffert Pereira de Souza

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3640; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043640 - 18 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2159

Abstract

The overall burden of cancer is rapidly increasing worldwide, reflecting not only population growth and aging, but also the prevalence and spread of risk factors. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including stomach, liver, esophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, represent more than a quarter of all cancers. While smoking and alcohol use are the risk factors most commonly associated with cancer development, a growing consensus also includes dietary habits as relevant risk factors for GI cancers. Current evidence suggests that socioeconomic development results in several lifestyle modifications, including shifts in dietary habits from local traditional diets to less-healthy Western diets. Moreover, recent data indicate that increased production and consumption of processed foods underlies the current pandemics of obesity and related metabolic disorders, which are directly or indirectly associated with the emergence of various chronic noncommunicable conditions and GI cancers. However, environmental changes are not restricted to dietary patterns, and unhealthy behavioral features should be analyzed with a holistic view of lifestyle. In this review, we discussed the epidemiological aspects, gut dysbiosis, and cellular and molecular characteristics of GI cancers and explored the impact of unhealthy behaviors, diet, and physical activity on developing GI cancers in the context of progressive societal changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

Open AccessReview

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Viktoriia Shishmintseva

Francesca Maria Grosso

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032403 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1327

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents the 6th cause of cancer death. Although the aetiology of PC is not completely understood, numerous risk factors have been identified in association with this cancer, among them diet. However, little is known about the association between the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and the risk of PC. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis according to the PRISMA guidelines, searching on three databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE). The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Both fixed and random effect models were performed. The Effect size was reported as a hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). A total of eight articles were included. The methodological quality of the included meta-analyses was high. Our results show that a higher adherence to the MedDiet is associated with a lower risk of PC [HR:0.82 (0.76–0.88) p < 0.001, based on 1,301,320 subjects]. The results were also confirmed in sensitivity and subgroups analyses (avoidance of potential overlapping effects, type of tools used to assess dietary intake and the diagnosis of PC, prevalence and incidence of PC risk, country where the studies took place, sex, and cancer site). Promoting a higher adherence to the MedDiet could be an effective approach to reduce the risk of PC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Open AccessReview

Early Gastric Cancer: Update on Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

Clara Benedetta Conti

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032149 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1798

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is a relevant public health issue as its incidence and mortality rates are growing worldwide. There are recognized carcinogen agents, such as obesity, tobacco, meat, alcohol consumption and some dietary protective factors. Strategies of early diagnosis through population-based surveillance programs have been demonstrated to be effective in lowering the morbidity and mortality related to GC in some countries. Indeed, the detection of early lesions is very important in order to offer minimally invasive treatments. Endoscopic resection is the gold standard for lesions with a low risk of lymph node metastasis, whereas surgical mini-invasive approaches can be considered in early lesions when endoscopy is not curative. This review outlines the role of lifestyle and prevention strategies for GC, in order to reduce the patients’ risk factors, implement the surveillance of precancerous conditions and, therefore, improve the diagnosis of early lesions. Furthermore, we summarize the available treatments for early gastric cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Open AccessReview

Association between Dietary Fibre Intake and Colorectal Adenoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(8), 4168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084168 - 15 Apr 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3465

Abstract

PubMed/Medline, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE) and Scopus were searched in January 2021 in order to retrieve evidence assessing the association between dietary fibre intake and the risk of colorectal adenoma in adults. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used for the reporting of results. Only primary observational studies were included. Publication bias was estimated through the Egger’s test and the visual inspection of the funnel plot. Heterogeneity between studies was calculated with I² statistics. The search strategy identified 683 papers, 21 of which were included in our meta-analysis. Having evaluated a total of 157,725 subjects, the results suggest a protective effect of dietary fibre intake against colorectal adenoma. Effect Size (ES) was [0.71 (95% CI = 0.68–0.75), p = 0.000)]. Moderate statistical heterogeneity (Chi² = 61.68, df = 23, I² = 62.71%, p = 0.000) was found. Findings show a statistically significant (p = 0.000) and robust association between a higher intake of dietary fibre and a lower risk of colorectal adenoma, considering both the prevalent and incident risk. Moreover, the meta-regression analysis showed a borderline significant negative linear correlation between the amount of dietary fibre intake and colorectal adenoma. Lastly, we performed a subgroup analysis by sex, showing a higher protective effect for men. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Other

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Open AccessSystematic Review

Diets, Dietary Patterns, Single Foods and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14787; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214787 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1907

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents the third leading cause of cancer death in 2020. Despite the fact that, in 2018, the World Cancer Research Fund report concluded that there is still a lack of evidence on the role of foods or diets and risk for PC, a flourishing body of evidence has been published and needs to be analyzed. For this reason, we conducted an umbrella review on the association between different dietary patterns/food components and PC. Data sources PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Collaboration were searched. The Joanna Briggs Institute Umbrella Review Methodology was used. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. A total of 23 articles were included, covering a wide range of dietary patterns/food components: healthy/prudent dietary patterns (n = 4), Mediterranean diets (MedDiet) (n = 1), plant-based diets (n = 2), the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) (n = 2), western diets (n = 2), and, lastly, unhealthy diets (n = 2). Regarding dietary components, the following were assessed: total fruit (n = 2), citrus fruit (n = 1), total vegetables (n = 2), cruciferous vegetables (n = 1), red meat (n = 6), processed meat (n = 4), poultry (n = 2), eggs (n = 1), fish (n = 5), whole grain (n = 2), potato (n = 1), and nuts (n = 2). The methodological quality of the included meta-analyses was generally low or critically low. Although the strength of evidence was generally weak, convincing or suggestive evidence was found for a healthy/prudent, plant-based diet, fruit and vegetables, and lower risk of PC, whereas a high intake of red meat was associated with a higher risk of PC at a convincing level of evidence. Further studies are needed to confirm the role of the other dietary patterns/food components and the risk of PC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Open AccessSystematic Review

Dietary Fiber Intake and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11556; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111556 - 03 Nov 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2865

Abstract

The burden of pancreatic cancer varies greatly across countries, with the number of deaths, incident cases, and disability-adjusted life years more than doubling in recent years, and with high-income countries having the highest incidence and mortality rates. We conducted this systematic review with meta-analysis with the goal of summarizing the current evidence on dietary fiber intake and its role in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer, given the importance of identifying risk factors. This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020. The structured literature search was conducted on PubMed/Medline and Scopus, combining free text words and medical subject headings. Our review contained 18 records at the end of the process. Our results show that dietary fiber intake reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer. When the analysis was differentiated according to the type of fiber considered, sub-grouped by gender (reduction of around 60% among women), and when case-control studies were conducted, the strength of the association increased. Clinicians and policymakers should improve interventions to raise the population’s awareness regarding the consumption of high-fiber diets, both in practice and in terms of public health policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival)

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Special Issue "The Role of Lifestyle in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Prevention, Treatment and Survival"

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