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Table 1 Risk factors, exposure levels and studied cancer sites

From: Proportion of cancer in a Middle eastern country attributable to established risk factors

Risk factor

Exposure level

Sources of Data

Prevalence of exposure

Relative Risk

Tobacco smoking

Current smoker, former smoker (cessation mean 8.9 years)

Sibai et al. [14] (WHO)

Lung [42]

Bladder [43]

Larynx [42]

Esophagus [42]

Stomach [42]

Liver [42]

Pancreas [42]

Cervix [42]

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2)

Obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2)

Sibai et al. [14] (WHO)

Esophageal and gastric cardia [44] Colon and Rectal [45] Liver [46]

Endometrial [47, 48]

Renal cell [49]

Pancreatic [50]

Ovarian [51]

Breast [29]

Physical Activity

High (7 days of 3000 MET-minutes/week OR 3 days of 1500 MET-minutes/week)

Moderate (≥3 days vigorous intensity, OR ≥5 days moderate intensity, OR ≥5 days ≥600 MET-minutes/week)

Low: less than the moderate activity

Sibai et al. [14] (WHO)

Breast [52]

Bladder [53]

Gastroesophageal [54]

Colorectal [55]

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet

9-point scale adherence to Mediterranean diet score

Low: 0–3, moderate 4–5, and high 6–9 points.

Using nationally representative dietary intake data of Lebanese adults aged between 20 and 55 years (unpublished data)

Gastric [56]

Colorectal [57]

Bladder [58]

Alcohol consumption

Heavy: More than 50 g per day

Sibai et al. [14] (WHO)

Oropharyngeal and Esophageal [59]

Liver [59]

Colon [59]

Breast [59]

Infection

Percentage of H. Pylori infections in the Lebanese population

Naja et al. [17]

Gastric [60]

Air pollution (PM10 PM2.5)

Levels exceeding WHO standards:

PM10: 20 μg/ m3

PM2.5: 10 μg/ m3

Saliba et al. [18]

Saliba et al. [19]

Lung [40]

  1. MET, Metabolic equivalent of task