ROLE OF TOBACCO AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN THE ETIOLOGY OF CANCER OF THE ORAL CAVITY OROPHARYNX IN TORINO, ITALY

  • 1 September 1989
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (17) , 4919-4924
Abstract
A population-based case-control study of cancer of oral cavity-oorpharynx was conducted in the city of Torino, Italy, between 1982 and 1984. One hundred twenty-two cases (86 males and 36 females) and 606 controls (385 males and 221 females) were compared with respect to lifelong alcohol and tobacco consumption. A 4- to 6-fold increase in risk among subjects with medium or high tobacco consumption was observed, as well as a trend in increasing risk with duration and with earlier age at the start of smoking. Other findings included a sharp reduction in risk with cessation of smoking, no clear protective effect of usage of filter, no differences in risk according to color of tobacco, and a higher risk for cigar versus pipe/cigarette smokers. An effect of alcoholic beverages was found in subjects with an average daily consumption of 120 or more grams of alcohol, with a higher risk in beer drinkers. Among heavy consumers of alcohol and tobacco, risks of both oral and oropharyngeal cancer were vey high. A positive association between oral cancer and low educational level, after adjustment for alcohol and tobacco, was found. Attributable risks for alcohol and tobacco in the population were 23% and 72% in men and 34% and 54% in women.