Oral and pharyngeal cancer, diet, smoking, alcohol, and serum vitamin A and beta-carotene levels: a case-control study in men.
A case-control study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia. Forty-one men with histologically confirmed squamous cell oral or pharyngeal cancer were compared with 398 male community controls. A statistically significant increase in risk was found for alcohol (ethanol) consumption and for smoking, and there was a synergistic effect for these two exposures. Statistically significant protection was noted with increasing intake of dietary vitamin C, dietary beta-carotene, fruit, vegetables, and dietary fiber. The mean serum levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A were statistically significantly lower when the cases were compared with another set of 88 male controls of a similar age who were hospitalized for minor surgical operations. This study confirms a causal effect of smoking and alcohol and a protective role for a high dietary intake of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and, particularly, beta-carotene- and vitamin C-containing foods.
Kune
G A
GA
University of Melbourne, Australia.
Kune
S
S
Field
B
B
Watson
L F
LF
Cleland
H
H
Merenstein
D
D
Vitetta
L
L
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014675:Vegetables; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene
D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids