Association of substance use and gastrointestinal cancers in an indigenous People of Arunachal Pradesh

Background: The incidence of cancers affecting the gastrointestinal tract is increasingly recognised as a significant public health issue, especially among marginalised and indigenous communities. This investigation sought to evaluate the association between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and the emergence of gastrointestinal cancers within the indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Methods: A case-control study was carried out from January 2021 to April 2024 at TRIHMS, Naharlagun. This study comprises Two hundred thirty-two participants, in that 116 were cases of gastrointestinal cancer confirmed through histopathological examination and 116 matched controls without any malignancy, based on age and gender. Information regarding sociodemographic traits, patterns of substance use, and clinical profiles was gathered via structured interviews and medical documentation. The analysis of statistical data was conducted utilising SPSS version 26.0. An independent t-tests, Chi-square tests, and odds ratios (OR) accompanied by 95% confidence intervals (CI) were employed. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant outcome. Results: Findings indicate notable correlations between gastrointestinal cancers and reduced educational attainment (p = 0.0001), the consumption of local made fermented beverages (OR = 12.17, p<0.0001), tobacco usage (OR = 6.21, p<0.0001), and the intake of commercial alcohol (OR = 2.22, p = 0.003). The majority of cases were found within the age range of 35 to 71 and were located in urban settings. Gastric cancer emerged as the most frequently occurring type, accounting for 37.93%, while chemotherapy represented the predominant treatment approach, utilised in 81.89% of cases. A mere 7.7% cases showed positive family history for GIT cancer. Conclusion: The results reveal a strong association between traditional substance use, lower levels of education, and an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers among indigenous populations. These trends are consistent with observations from other parts of Asia, underscoring the importance of implementing comprehensive cancer control strategies that prioritize education, early diagnosis, and culturally appropriate health promotion initiatives.