Diet and melanoma. An exploratory case-control study.
This population-based case-control study contrasted nutrient intakes of 41 women with cutaneous malignant melanoma to those of 297 women sampled from the same community (Brisbane, Australia). Diet was assessed by a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire. The strong inverse relation we observed between high intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids and melanoma (P < 0.01) adds sufficient weight to prior findings for this persisting causal hypothesis to be abandoned. A relatively strong association with alcohol was observed: Women drinking 20 g or more (two or more drinks) daily had 2.5 (odds ratio) times the risk of melanoma as nondrinkers (95% confidence interval, 0.87 to 7.4). However, previous data are inconsistent. With regard to potential protective factors, our data fit with prior speculation that antioxidants (beta-carotene and vitamin E), zinc, and iron warrant further investigation. The nonsignificant (P = 0.18) 40% reduction in risk seen for those eating the most fish (> or = 15 g daily versus < 5 g) suggests the effects of marine oils and omega-3 fatty acids may deserve specific attention.
Bain
C
C
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Queensland Medical School, Australia.
Green
A
A
Siskind
V
V
Alexander
J
J
Harvey
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D004041:Dietary Fats