Abstract PO-160: Associations between diet and food security with colorectal cancer-based health disparity among African Americans
Authors: Laryea Jonathan A. , Matich Eryn K. , Hsu Ping-Ching , Su Joseph 
Published: January 2022

Introduction. African Americans (AAs) have a colorectal cancer (CRC)-based health disparity. However, AAs had higher screening test usage than non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) in Arkansas in 2016. Additionally, CRC is of interest in Arkansas because geographic areas such as the Delta regions in Arkansas remain mortality hotspots. Also, certain lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and physical activity have been associated with CRC risk. Our goal is to examine the association between colorectal health, diet, and sociodemographics related to access to adequate food, to understand the factors involved in the CRC health disparity among AAs. Method. We are recruiting participants who have recently (2019-2021) received a colonoscopy. These participants are filling out surveys related to their demographics, socioeconomic status, health, family history, lifestyle, and diet, as well as collecting a stool sample at home for our future untargeted metabolomic analysis. For this preliminary analysis, we have focused on self-report survey data to determine which factors are associated with colorectal health and race. Results. We used t-tests with Bonferroni correction and chi-square test with statistical significance at p&lt;0.05. The comparisons were healthy vs. polyp(s), healthy vs. cancer, and polyp(s) vs. cancer. The cancer group had statistically lower percentages of having gone to or completed college, and of having hourly or salaried wages as well as higher percentages of $25,000/year or less in household income, overweight BMI of 25-30, family history of CRC, and ever smoked at least 100 cigarettes. In addition, all participants in the cancer group had ever used tobacco products and not lifted weights for physical activity in the last year. Also, the polyp(s) group had the highest percentage engaging in light physical activity, and the control group had the highest percentage of current use of cigarettes every day. We also compared the food- and nutrient-level data. Coumestrol was found to be significantly higher among the healthy group vs. polyp(s). Starch, starchy vegetables, phosphorous, zinc, and pinitol were found to be significant when comparing healthy vs. cancer, and all but pinitol were found to be higher among the cancer group. Also, starchy and total vegetables, trans-hexadecenoic acid, cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, and pinitol were found to be significant between polyp(s) vs. cancer, and all but pinitol were found to be higher among the cancer group. In addition, 37 food- and nutrient-level data points were significantly higher among NHW participants vs. AAs. Conclusion. CRC has minimal symptoms, and that is why routine CRC screening is important. From our findings, targeted education related to risk factors for CRC should be implemented among all people, especially on vegetable and fruit consumption, tobacco use, physical activity, and appropriate screening. Additional importance should be focused on high-risk individuals such as AAs and those with a family history of CRC.

Citation Format: Jonathan A. Laryea, Eryn K. Matich, Ping-Ching Hsu, Joseph Su. Associations between diet and food security with colorectal cancer-based health disparity among African Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-160.