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Research: LA VECCHIA and DECARLI
Listed in Issue 31
Abstract
LA VECCHIA and DECARLI, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano Italy write that following early increases, mortality rates from oesophageal cancer have levelled off in Italy over the past two decades and are now intermediate on a European scale 4.7/100,000 males 0.8/100,000 females. The authors say that this reflects trends in consumption of tobacco and alcohol, major risk factors for this type of cancer. Within Italy there is considerable variation in rates of oesophageal cancer, with high mortality areas in the North-East. The relative risk (RR) of oesophageal cancer was 4.3 in heavy smokers and 3.5 in heavy drinkers, based upon a case-control study in northern Italy. A diet poor in fresh fruit and vegetables was also related to risk (RR = 2.5). Regarding population attributable risk, 71% of cases in men and 32% in women were accounted for by tobacco smoking, 45% in males and 10% in women by alcohol drinking, 40% in men and 29% in women by a diet poor in fresh fruit and vegetables. Altogether, these 3 factors tobacco, alcohol and poor diet accounted for 90% of cases in Italian men and 58% in women (83% in both sexes combined ).
Background
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
References
La-Vecchia C and Decarli A. Esophageal carcinoma. Ann Ist Super Sanita 32 (4): 551-6. 1996.
Comment
It never ceases to astonish me although we are constantly bombarded by all forms of the media with adverts for alcohol, cigarettes and unhealthy forms of food sweets, chocolates, pastries, cakes, pizza, prepared sauces containing huge amounts of fat, sugar and other unhealthy additives there is a steady and very concerted attack against the very type of food and dietary supplements which, if eaten by the population, could save literally hundreds of thousands of lives each year. In the UK, appears that we have narrowly averted the restriction of the essential nutrient Vitamin B6 to a meagre 10 mg, amidst a concerted campaign by COT, which has been severely criticised by the Select Committee on Agriculture (see Fifth Report of this Committee, page 6). How many thousands of published papers and how much epidemiological evidence is necessary before governments will stand up to the food and pharmaceutical lobbies? I suspect that the push will come from all the people dying of cancer and from parents who dont wish their children to be afflicted.
