Abstract 1152P
Background
Melanoma is a complex disease caused by the interaction of genetic, phenotypic and environmental factors. Early diagnosis remains the best strategy to fight the disease. Thus, it is necessary to identify individuals with a higher risk of developing melanoma. Some studies link obesity to the development of cancer, but evidence for its influence on melanoma is limited. This study aimed to assess whether dietary and physical activity habits are associated with melanoma risk.
Methods
A case-control study was performed with 130 melanoma patients from Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and 166 healthy individuals from the same population, similar in age and sex distribution. Data were obtained through a questionnaire about epidemiological characteristics; dietary restrictions; weekly consumption of specific foods; main cooking methods; and frequency and intensity of physical exercise.
Results
In our cohort, we have not found an association between BMI and melanoma. Restriction of sugary foods (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.05-0.27; P<0.001) and an intake >3 times a week of cereals rich in fiber (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37-0.94; P=0.027) and fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin E (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.91; P=0.026) conferred a protective effect against melanoma. On the contrary, restriction of dairy products (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.32-5.36; P=0.005) and a high intake of processed meats (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.57-4.04; P<0.001) and carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.15-4.97; P=0.018) were associated with a higher risk of melanoma. Moreover, melanoma patients used unhealthy cooking methods (deep-frying, battering) more often than controls, especially for eggs (49.1% vs. 30.1%; P=0.001), white fish (17.1% vs. 7.5%; P=0.014) and blue fish (23.9% vs. 9.6%; P=0.002). Besides, we observed a protective effect not for practicing physical exercise itself but for its intensity (P<0.001) and its frequency, the latter restricted to females (P=0.033).
Conclusions
Our study confirms that multiple dietary factors and exercise habits may influence the risk of developing melanoma. The identification of protective habits against melanoma would allow new prevention strategies that would improve public health beyond individual benefit.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII).
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.