Esophageal and Gastric Cancer in Population Tied to a Few Main Risk Factors

Wednesday, September 24th 2003

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A few main risk factors account for the majority of esophageal and gastric cancers that occur in the general population, according to a report published in the September 17th issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Although numerous reports have identified risk factors for these malignancies, "no study has comprehensively examined their contributions to the cancer burden in the general population," lead author Dr. Lawrence S. Engel, from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and colleagues note.

The current population-based study involved 1143 patients with esophageal or gastric cancer and 695 healthy controls. The patients were diagnosed between 1993 and 1995 in Connecticut, New Jersey, or Washington.

Being overweight accounted for the greatest percentage of esophageal adenocarcinomas-41.1%, the authors state. The next biggest contributor-ever smoking-accounted for 39.7% of cases. Together, being overweight, ever smoking, reflux history, and low fruit and vegetable intake accounted for 78.7% of cases.

For gastric cardia adenocarcinomas, smoking was the biggest contributor, responsible for 45.2% of cases. A history of ever smoking and being overweight together accounted for 56.2% of cases.

Alcohol consumption was responsible for the greatest percentage of esophageal squamous cell cancers-72.4%. Nearly 90% of cases could be accounted for by alcohol use, a history of ever smoking, and low fruit and vegetable intake.

For non-cardia gastric adenocarcinomas, increased nitrite intake accounted for the greatest percentage of cases-40.7%, the researchers point out.

"The rapid increase in the incidence of esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas [that has occurred in Western populations] appears to result from increases in the prevalence of several modifiable and interrelated risk factors," the authors note.

"Efforts to reduce the prevalence of being overweight, having gastroesophageal reflux, and smoking and to improve diet could reverse this troubling cancer trend," they add.

Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2003;95:1404-1413

Footnote from Ideal Health

The following supplements are all useful for reducing your risk factors. Use the links for more information.

Green Tea
Green Tea
Quit-Smoke
Advanced Antioxidant
Gastrocalm
Herbal Tobacco

Related health information can be found here:

Cancer
Obesity
Smoking
Heartburn
Hiatus Hernia
Antioxidants
Alcoholism

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

 

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