Nutrition and cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx in north‐east italy

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Abstract
The relation between dietary indicators and the risk of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx was investigated in a case‐control study conducted in Pordenone province, north‐east Italy, on 302 cases (266 males and 36 females) and 699 controls admitted to hospital for acute, non‐neoplastic and non‐digestive disorders. Positive associations were observed, after allowing for occupation, smoking and drinking habits, with more frequent consumption of pasta or rice, polenta, cheese, eggs and pulses (odds ratios ‐ Ors = 1.6, 2.1, 1.9, 1.9 and 2.0 for highest vs. lowest tertile), whereas reduced ORs emerged in subjects reporting more frequent consumption of carrots, fresh tomatoes and green peppers (ORs = 0.6, 0.5 and 0.5, respectively). Higher frequency of daily meals was also associated with a significantly elevated OR (1.7 for ≥ 4 vs. ≤ 2 meals). The role of various indicator foods must be assessed in the context of the very high levels of alcohol consumption in the study area (≥ 8 alcoholic drinks/day in 2/3 cancer cases).