Positive Health Online

Abstract

ATALAH and colleagues, Departamento de Nutricion, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 13.898, Correo 21, Santiago, Chile, eatalah@machi.med.uchile.cl, investigated possible associations between cervical cancer risk and diet, smoking and sexual behaviour .

Background

Data from epidemiological studies suggest that smoking, nutrition and sexual behaviour are important risk factors for developing cervical cancer.

Methodology

The study involved 170 women with cervical cancer and 340 matched controls. Subjects completed a food frequency questionnaire covering 58 food items rich in antioxidants, from which median daily intakes of vegetables, fruit, antioxidant vitamins and fibre were calculated. The researchers calculated odds ratios (ORs) associated with variations in nutritional intake and non-nutritional factors (age at first delivery, parity, body mass index, family history of cancer and smoking).

Results

High consumption of vegetables, fruit, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E and fibre was associated with a lower risk of cervical cancer (OR range 0.56-0.78). Younger age at first delivery, higher total number of pregnancies and smoking were associated with a higher risk of cancer. ORs were: for vegetable and vitamin E consumptions, 0.6 ; for smoking, 2.8 ; and for younger age at first delivery, 3.37 .

Conclusion

Risk of cervical cancer is related to reproductive behaviours and nutritional factors . High intakes of vegetables and vitamin E-rich foods are associated with reduced risk .

References

Atalah E et al. (Diet, smoking and reproductive history as a risk factor for cervical cancer.) Revista Medica de Chile 129 (6): 597-603. Jun 2001.