title: Trends in oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal cancer mortality in Australia: the comparative importance of tobacco, alcohol and other risk factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship of long-term population-level trends in oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal cancer mortality with major risk factors such as tobacco consumption have not been statistically analysed in Australia. We have demonstrated the long-term implications using historical data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Estimated age and sex-specific tobacco consumption back-extrapolated to 1887 were used together with alcohol and fruit and vegetable consumption data to examine their association with trends in oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal cancer mortality. Log-linear Poisson regression models were applied to specify the relationship with oesophageal and pharyngeal mortality data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral cancer mortality for males decreased sharply in the first half of the 20th Century in contrast to steadily rising tobacco consumption. Female oral and pharyngeal cancer remained steady at low levels. Post-World War II male and female oesophageal and male pharyngeal cancer mortality rose, then either fell or stabilised, without a clear relationship with risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tobacco and alcohol consumption have influenced post-World War II trends in oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal cancer mortality. However, the challenges in using historical population level data prevent precise interpretation of findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is increased exposure to risk factors for these cancers in many low- and middle-income countries. In particular, smoking cessation programs are needed to prevent increases in mortality from these cancers in such countries.
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adair
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoy
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dettrick
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends; D014675:Vegetables; D014026:Nicotiana