Role of tobacco and alcoholic beverages in the etiology of cancer of the oral cavity/oropharynx in Torino, Italy.
A population-based case-control study of cancer of oral cavity-oropharynx was conducted in the city of Torino, Italy, between 1982 and 1984. One hundred twenty-two cases (86 males and 36 females) and 606 controls (385 males and 221 females) were compared with respect to lifelong alcohol and tobacco consumption. A 4- to 6-fold increase in risk among subjects with medium or high tobacco consumption was observed, as well as a trend in increasing risk with duration and with earlier age at the start of smoking. Other findings included a sharp reduction in risk with cessation of smoking, no clear protective effect of usage of filter, no differences in risk according to color of tobacco, and a higher risk for cigar versus pipe/cigarette smokers. An effect of alcoholic beverages was found in subjects with an average daily consumption of 120 or more grams of alcohol, with a higher risk in beer drinkers. Among heavy consumers of alcohol and tobacco, risks of both oral and oropharyngeal cancer were very high. A positive association between oral cancer and low educational level, after adjustment for alcohol and tobacco, was found. Attributable risks for alcohol and tobacco in the population were 23% and 72% in men and 34% and 54% in women.
Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Torino, Italy.
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F
Merletti
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Boffetta
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G
Ciccone
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A
Mashberg
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B
Terracini
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001515:Beer / Q000009:adverse effects; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*