ABSTRACT

Cancer is a global health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. In Nigeria, cancer has emerged as a significant public health issue with a growing burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death in Nigeria, accounting for approximately 72,000 deaths annually Cancer despite being a non-communicable disease seems to be raving the health of many patients. The respondents include patient attending Federal medical Center Umuahia. The patients will be selected from the different wards in the Hospital. A cancer patient was selected by the researcher and trained research assistants in each of the different wards in the hospital randomly. A structured questionnaire was constructed which include the socio-demographics and economic characteristics of the respondents, the anthropometric status of patients using weight, height and BIM measurement the risk factors of Cancer, the ways of reducing the risk factors of cancer, the dietary pattern of the respondents using food frequency distribution the result shows that more of the respondents were female 61.6%  and male 38.4% males and are  within the age group of 30 to 40 years, 7.4%, of respondents report "Yes" to cigarette smoking, 28.2% of respondents report "Yes" to consuming a high-fat diet, (14.4%) of the respondents fall into the "Underweight" category, 86.1%, report "Yes" to participating in physical activities. Based on their anthropometry assessment few of the respondent are underweight majority and normal. Majority of the respondents consume more of cereals and cereals products such as doughnut and more of legumes (groundnut) and in the tuber category potato was consumed more by the respondent. Majority of the respondents also consume Pepper, dry fish and cow meat. In summary we could deduce some important recommendation such as organizing nutrition education workshops and seminars for individual about cancer to improve their nutritional knowledge and encourage consumption of cheap local Home grown food. Also, Media advertisements and public campaigns are also needed to educate people especially the illiterate ones on the importance to identify the risk Factors influencing cancer.