Tobacco, alcohol, and diet in cancer etiology in Poland: a review of Polish epidemiological studies.
A review of the most important case-control studies conducted in Poland and published over the last 30 years, which indicate a role of tobacco, alcohol, and diet in the etiology of cancer, are presented. Very little was done in Poland to publicize these results. The current discussion on causes of the high incidence and mortality from cancer in Poland is now focusing on the extremely high environmental pollution in Poland rather than on such lifestyle hazards as tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and poor dietary habits. All studies presented here were performed in the Silesian and Cracow Regions of Poland, which are considered to be the most polluted areas. Awareness of the danger of pollution is very high among the inhabitants and the decision makers; however, awareness of the dangers of one's lifestyle is still relatively low and has been discussed in terms of disbelief rather than in terms of any well-defined facts that should lead to proper priorities for public health action.
Lissowska
J
J
Department of Cancer Control and Epidemiology, Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*