Cultural Practices and Oral Cancer Risk in the Middle East: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review evidence on how cultural practices influence oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) risk in Middle-Eastern populations.

METHODS

This PRISMA-conform systematic review searched PubMed, Scopus, and regional databases (1990-Dec 2024) for studies examining cultural practices and OSCC risk in the Middle East. Forty studies were qualitatively synthesized; 20 provided data for random-effects meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Smokeless tobacco (shammah: pooled OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.5-6.2) and qat chewing (pooled OR 2.7, 1.9-3.8) were major risk factors, exhibiting dose-response relationships and contributing to significant regional incidence variations. Opium use was associated with increased risk in one Iranian study (OR 2.55, 1.47-4.43). Waterpipe (pooled OR 2.6, 1.8-3.9) and cigarette smoking (pooled OR 3.7, 2.9-4.8) also significantly increased risk. A Mediterranean dietary pattern showed protection (pooled OR 0.6, 0.4-0.9). Education below secondary level tripled risk (pooled OR 2.6, 1.9-3.5). Female-to-male incidence ratios approached parity in high-shammah use regions, diverging from typical global patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Culturally embedded, dose-dependent tobacco and qat habits are primary drivers of OSCC risk in the Middle East, modified by sex and socioeconomic status. Prevention strategies must extend Framework Convention measures to smokeless tobacco, address combined tobacco-qat use, and employ gender- and equity-sensitive approaches, guided by the unique cultural context.