Alcohol intake and endometrial cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.
BACKGROUND
Studies on alcohol intake in relation to endometrial cancer risk have produced inconsistent results.


METHODS
For a meta-analysis, we identified cohort studies of alcohol and endometrial cancer by a literature search of Pub-Med and Embase up to 1 March 2010 and by searching the reference lists of relevant articles.


RESULTS
Seven cohort studies, including 1,511,661 participants and 6086 endometrial cancer cases, were included in the dose-response random-effect meta-regression model. Compared with non-drinkers, women drinking less than 1 drink of alcohol (13 g of ethanol) per day had a lower risk for endometrial cancer; this risk was lower by 4% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.93-1.00) for consumption up to 0.5 drink per day and by 7% (95% CI: 0.85-1.02) for consumption up to 1 drink. However, we found evidence of an increased risk for endometrial cancer for intakes higher than two alcoholic drinks per day: compared with non-drinkers, the risk was higher by 14% (95% CI: 0.95-1.36) for 2-2.5 drinks per day and by 25% (95% CI: 0.98-1.58) for >2.5 drinks per day.


CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis indicates a possible J-shaped relationship between alcohol intake and endometrial cancer risk.
Friberg
E
E
Division of Nutritional Epidemiology, The National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. emilie.friberg@ki.se
Orsini
N
N
Mantzoros
C S
CS
Wolk
A
A
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors