title: Nutrition and cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx in north-east Italy.
abstract: The relation between dietary indicators and the risk of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Pordenone province, north-east Italy, on 302 cases (266 males and 36 females) and 699 controls admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic and non-digestive disorders. Positive associations were observed, after allowing for occupation, smoking and drinking habits, with more frequent consumption of pasta or rice, polenta, cheese, eggs and pulses (odds ratios - ORs = 1.6, 2.1, 1.9, 1.9 and 2.0 for highest vs. lowest tertile), whereas reduced ORs emerged in subjects reporting more frequent consumption of carrots, fresh tomatoes and green peppers (ORs = 0.6, 0.5 and 0.5, respectively). Higher frequency of daily meals was also associated with a significantly elevated OR (1.7 for greater than or equal to 4 vs. less than or equal to 2 meals). The role of various indicator foods must be assessed in the context of the very high levels of alcohol consumption in the study area (greater than or equal to 8 alcoholic drinks/day in 2/3 cancer cases).
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, Aviano Cancer Center, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franceschi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bidoli
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Barón
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barra
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talamini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Serraino
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: La Vecchia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking