Dietary, but not supplemental, intakes of carotenoids and vitamin C are associated with decreased odds of lower urinary tract symptoms in men

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men may be related to micronutrients involved in prevention of oxidative damage or cell growth and differentiation. We tested the hypothesis that carotenoid, vitamin A, and vitamin C intake were inversely associated with total LUTS, voiding, and storage symptoms. We conducted a cross-sectional multivariate analysis of 1466 men aged 30-79 y in the Boston Area Community Health survey (2002-2005), a population-based random sample survey. Data were collected by in-person interview and validated FFQ. Moderate-to-severe LUTS were defined using the American Urological Symptom Index and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Overall, men consuming greater dietary lycopene, β-carotene, total carotenoid, or vitamin A had ~40-50% decreased odds of LUTS compared with the lowest intake quartiles (e.g. β-carotene and storage symptoms, OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.39, 0.82; P-trend = 0.02). Interactions were observed between dietary iron and vitamin C or β-cryptoxanthin, whereby inverse associations with LUTS, particularly voiding symptoms, occurred only among men with moderate-to-high iron intake (P-interaction = 0.001). High-dose supplemental and total vitamin C were positively associated with LUTS (e.g. supplemental vitamin C ≥ 250 mg/d, OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.21, 2.77; P-trend = 0.02). An interaction between β-carotene and smoking status (P-interaction = 0.004) indicated greater odds of LUTS with higher β-carotene intake among current smokers. Results suggest that modifying consumption of carotenoids and vitamin C may influence LUTS in men.     

Intake of α-linolenic acid and other fatty acids in relation to the risk of bladder cancer: results from the New Hampshire case-control study

The role of dietary fat in bladder cancer aetiology is currently unclear due to few studies, equivocal findings and a lack of information on important dietary fatty acids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the intake of major dietary fats and fatty acids and the risk of bladder cancer. A case-control study was conducted in New Hampshire, USA. Dietary data were collected from 322 cases and 239 controls, and OR and 95?% CI were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Adjustment was made for potential confounders: sex, age, smoking status, pack-years smoked, cholesterol and energy intake. Statistically significant reduced odds of bladder cancer were observed for high intakes (highest quartile v. lowest quartile) of α-linolenic acid (ALA) (OR 0·26, 95?% CI 0·10, 0·65; P for trend?=?0·01) and vegetable fat (OR 0·39, 95?% CI 0·18, 0·86; P for trend?=?0·03). Borderline statistically significant reduced odds were detected for polyunsaturated fat (OR 0·43, 95?% CI 0·19, 0·98; P for trend?=?0·07) and linoleic acid (OR 0·43, 95?% CI 0·19, 0·96; P for trend?=?0·06). These fats and fatty acids were highly correlated and following adjustment for each other, the only potential inverse association to remain was for ALA. The present findings suggest that ALA may have a protective role against developing bladder cancer; however, further investigation and replication in other epidemiological studies are required. Future research should focus on the type, source and quantities of different dietary fatty acids consumed.     

Calcium intake and 28-year cardiovascular and coronary heart disease mortality in Dutch civil servants.

Data obtained from a general health examination in 1953-1954 of 2605 middle-aged Dutch civil servants were analysed to investigate the relation between dietary calcium and cardiovascular (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. Calcium intake was assessed at baseline by a 1-week food frequency recall. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated using the highest quintile of calcium intake as the reference. No statistically significant associations were observed for low calcium intake in 15 and 28 years of follow-up in both men and women. For men, multivariate adjusted OR for the lowest quintile of calcium intake were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8-1.9) and 0.9 (95% CI: 0.6-1.6) for 28-year CVD and CHD mortality, respectively. For women, corresponding OR were 1.1 (95% CI: 0.6-2.0) and 1.1 (95% CI: 0.5-2.5). Although an inverse association between calcium intake and CVD and CHD mortality, possibly mediated by blood pressure, might be hypothesized, no clear association was observed. Because dietary patterns in the 1950s were quite stable, and major calcium sources were addressed, misclassification of calcium intake may not be fully responsible for this finding.     

The Association of Dietary and Urinary Sodium With Bone Mineral Density and Risk of Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Although some earlier studies have indicated an association between dietary/urinary sodium and bone mass density (BMD), bone mass content (BMC), and the risk of osteoporosis (OS), findings are still conflicting. The aim of this study was to summarize the relation of dietary/urinary sodium with BMD, BMC, and the risk of OS.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search up to April 2017 in PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science to find relevant studies. Articles with cross-sectional and cohort designs in which odds ratios (ORs), correlations (r), or beta coefficients were reported for the association between dietary/urinary sodium and OS, BMD, or BMC were included.

Results: Pooling 11 effect sizes with a total of 39,065 people showed that higher sodium consumption significantly increased the risk of OS (OR = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.41; p = 0.026), with high heterogeneity among studies (I² = 68.0%; p = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed significantly higher risk of OS in premenopausal women (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01–1.69; p = 0.036), in participants with a mean age older than 50 years (OR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04–1.28; p = 0.005), in dietary sodium intake subgroup (OR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.19–1.77; p < 0.001), and in individuals with adjustment for energy (OR = 1.77; 95% CI, 1.38–2.27; p < 0.001). The correlation coefficients showed no significant association between urinary sodium and BMD (r = ?0.46; 95% CI, ?0.74 to ?0.18; p = 0.02).

Conclusions: We found a positive association between sodium intake and the risk of OS, while no association was found with urinary sodium. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between sodium intake and BMD. Due to high heterogeneity in this research, more studies are suggested.     

Animal Protein Intake Is Positively Associated with Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Korean Men

Few studies have examined the relationship of protein intake by food source with metabolic syndrome in Korean adults, even though animal food intake has increased. This study examined the association between plant and animal protein intake and metabolic syndrome among middle-aged Korean adults. A total of 13,485 subjects aged 30–64 years were selected from the 2013–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Protein intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall data and divided into quintiles. Men had a higher percentage of energy intake from animal protein (7.4%) than plant protein (6.9%). Men in the highest quintile group of animal protein intake had a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.00–1.70), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.07–1.90), and elevated fasting glucose (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.01–1.74), after adjusting for covariates. Furthermore, stronger associations of animal protein intake with abdominal obesity were shown in men who consumed less than estimated energy requirements (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.11–2.31). Plant protein intake was negatively associated with increased blood pressure in men. Neither animal nor plant protein intakes were significantly associated with any of the metabolic syndrome risk factors in women. The results imply that lower animal protein intake may be a beneficial factor for metabolic syndrome management in middle-aged Korean men.     

Soy isoflavone intake is not associated with the development of cedar pollinosis in adults

Although soy isoflavone has been suggested to have both immune-enhancing and immune-suppressive effects, the effects of soy isoflavone intake on allergic disorders are unclear. A cross-sectional study indicated that a high intake of soy isoflavone is associated with a decreased risk of allergic rhinitis. We aimed to prospectively examine the relationship between soy isoflavone intake and risk of cedar pollinosis, the most common seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan. The study was conducted in a population-based cohort of Japanese men and women. Each subject's usual diet, including soy isoflavone intake, was determined with the use of a validated FFQ in 1992. In 2002, a total of 11,229 persons who were 35-69 y old and had no history of cancer or allergic diseases at the baseline responded to a follow-up questionnaire asking about 4 symptoms related to cedar pollinosis. Cox hazard regression model was used to determine the association between soy isoflavone intake and the risk of cedar pollinosis. During the 10-y follow-up, 931 of these subjects reported that they had cedar pollinosis. There was no significant association between soy isoflavone intake and risk of cedar pollinosis in men and women after controlling for covariates. For the highest compared with the lowest quartile of soy isoflavone intake, hazard ratios were 1.07 (95% CI: 0.81-1.42) in men and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.68-1.15) in women. These data did not support an association between soy isoflavone intake and risk of cedar pollinosis.     

Dietary carotenoids and genetic instability modify bladder cancer risk

In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that carotenoid supplementation is associated with decreased DNA damage, but the role of dietary carotenoids in cancer risk remains controversial because epidemiologic studies have yielded conflicting results. Limited data exist regarding the role of dietary carotenoids in the context of constitutional genetic instability in cancer risk. This case-control study estimated dietary carotenoid intake [microg/(kJ . d)] from a FFQ for 423 patients with bladder cancer and 467 healthy controls, and quantified baseline and benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE)- and gamma-radiation-induced DNA damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes using the comet assay. Overall, intake of total carotenoids was lower (P < 0.01) for bladder cancer cases (mean +/- SD: 1273.4 +/- 688.9) compared with healthy controls (1501.3 +/- 791.5). When categorized into quartiles, there was an inverse association between increasing levels of carotenoid intake and bladder cancer risk with greatest protective effect [odds ratio (OR) = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.37-0.85] in the quartile with the highest level of intake. Baseline and mutagen-induced DNA damage was significantly higher in cases than in controls; when analyzed jointly with carotenoid intake, high DNA damage and low carotenoid intake were associated with the highest risk. For example, with high baseline DNA damage and low total carotenoid intake, the OR was 3.08 (95% CI, 1.64-5.77); with high baseline DNA damage and high total carotenoid intake, the risk was somewhat attenuated (OR = 2.49, 95% CI, 1.28-4.84). The risk was decreased further for low baseline DNA damage and low total carotenoid intake (OR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.13-4.22). This study provides evidence of a preventive role for carotenoids in bladder cancer, and these data may have important implications for cancer prevention, especially for individuals susceptible to DNA damage.     

Processed Meat and Risk of Renal Cell and Bladder Cancers

We assessed the association of processed meat intake with the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and bladder cancer. We used data from two Italian hospital-based case-control studies, including 1,115 RCC cases and 2,582 controls, and 1,417 bladder cancer cases and 1,732 controls. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with unconditional logistic regression models, adjusted for major confounders. The median consumption of processed meat in cases and controls was around 2 portions/week (50 g/portion). The ORs for a daily 10 g increment of processed meat was 0.89 (95% CI 0.84–0.94) for RCC and 1.00 (95% CI 0.94–1.06) for bladder cancer. The OR for the highest vs. the lowest consumption was 0.80 (95% CI 0.66–0.96) for RCC and 0.98 (95% CI 0.80–1.21) for bladder cancer. The ORs were consistent in strata of various covariates. For bladder cancer, however, a significant 23% excess risk was found in women (95% CI 1.03–1.47) for a daily increase of 10 g, significantly heterogeneous from the risk recorded in men (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90–1.02). The inconsistent results between men and women and the absence of association in both sexes combined indicate that the apparent association between processed meat and bladder cancer in women is unlikely to be causal.     

Carotenoids and colon cancer

BACKGROUND: Carotenoids have numerous biological properties that may underpin a role for them as chemopreventive agents. However, except for beta-carotene, little is known about how dietary carotenoids are associated with common cancers, including colon cancer. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between dietary alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin and the risk of colon cancer. DESIGN: Data were collected from 1993 case subjects with first primary incident adenocarcinoma of the colon and from 2410 population-based control subjects. Dietary data were collected from a detailed diet-history questionnaire and nutrient values for dietary carotenoids were obtained from the US Department of Agriculture-Nutrition Coordinating Center carotenoid database (1998 updated version). RESULTS: Lutein was inversely associated with colon cancer in both men and women [odds ratio (OR) for upper quintile of intake relative to lowest quintile of intake: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.04; P = 0.04 for linear trend]. The greatest inverse association was observed among subjects in whom colon cancer was diagnosed when they were young (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.92; P = 0.02 for linear trend) and among those with tumors located in the proximal segment of the colon (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.91; P < 0.01 for linear trend). The associations with other carotenoids were unremarkable. CONCLUSION: The major dietary sources of lutein in subjects with colon cancer and in control subjects were spinach, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, oranges and orange juice, carrots, celery, and greens. These data suggest that incorporating these foods into the diet may help reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.     

饮食因素与尿石症关系的病例对照研究

目的 研究饮食营养因素在尿石症发生中的作用。方法 选取深圳市某医院6个月内确诊的所有上尿路含钙结石门诊病人，总有效例数241例，对照选自同一星期该医院的外科新住院病人，按年龄与性别进行1：1配对，采用半定量食物频数问卷调查他们的饮食情况，统计分析饮水及营养因素与尿石症的关系。结果 单因素条件logistic回归分析发现，有显著意义的危险因素有：平时不喜饮水[OR不喜欢：喜欢=1.914(95%CI:1.272-2.881)]；饮纯水次数少[OR多一次=0.771(95%CI:0.614-0.967)]；饮果汁少[OR多一杯=0.273(95%CI:0.076-0.978)]；口味咸[OR偏咸：淡=3.382(95%CI:2.133-5.362),OR一般：淡=1.435(95%CI:1.252-1.645)];喜甜食[OR常吃：不吃=4.509(95%CI:2.457%-8.277),OR一般：不吃=1.562(95%CI:1.305-1.870)]；主要食用动物油[OR动物油：植物油=2.222(95%CI:1.012-4.880)]；蛋白质，脂肪和磷摄入量多；碳水化合物，膳食纤维和抗坏血酸摄入少。结论 营养饮食因素是尿石症得要的危险因素。     

大豆异黄酮摄入显著抑制女性骨丢失:随机对照研究的meta分析

目的采用meta分析方法研究大豆异黄酮摄入对骨丢失影响。方法搜索MEDLINE、中国期刊网等中外数据库,收集了考察大豆异黄酮摄入与尿脱氧吡啶酚(Dpyr)、血清骨特异性碱性磷酸酶(BAP)、脊椎骨骨密度(SBMD)相关的随机对照研究,并对符合纳入标准的研究进行了meta分析。结果纳入18篇研究,978个研究对象。与对照组相比,大豆异黄酮组尿Dpyr的浓度显著降低,其效应值为-2.08nmol/mmol(95%CI:-3.82～0.34);血清BAP的浓度显著升高了1.48μg/L(95%CI:0.22,2.75),大豆异黄酮摄入组SBMD显著增加了20.6mg/cm2(95%CI:4.5～36.6)。当大豆异黄酮摄入量大于90mg/d或持续时间6个月时,对SBMD的影响效应值分别为28.5mg/cm2(95%CI:8.4～48.6)和27mg/cm2(95%CI:8.3～45.8)。结论大豆异黄酮干预能显著地抑制骨吸收和刺激骨形成,从而改善骨质量,防止妇女骨质疏松的发生。     

Assessment of risk associated with specific fatty acids and colorectal cancer among French-Canadians in Montreal: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Discrepancies in findings on the association between dietary fats and colorectal cancer (CRC) persist, and it is hypothesized that fatty acids (FA) may modulate CRC risk because of their physiological functions. METHODS: Between 1989 and 1993, a case-control study involving 402 cases and 668 population-based controls was conducted among French-Canadians. Dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Oleic acid was the major FA consumed by the study population. A significant inverse association was found among females between CRC and butyrate (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.34-0.96; P = 0.006), alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.46-1.32; P = 0.016), and w-3 FA (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.50-1.41; P = 0.028), comparing the upper to the lower quartiles of intake. An increased risk was associated with arachidonic acid (AA) (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.16-3.54; P = 0.001) among males, and with the w6/w3 ratio (OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 0.86-2.50; P = 0.001) among females. Arachidonic acid was linked with up to fivefold increased risk (OR = 5.33; 95% CI: 2.04-13.95; P = 0.0004 for trend) among men with high vitamin C intake. Females with low carotenoids intake were at elevated risk associated with AA (OR = 4.07; 95% CI: 1.84-8.99; P = 0.003); eicosapentaenoic acid (OR = 3.50; 95% CI: 1.59-7.71; P = 0.015), and docosahexaenoic acid (OR = 5.77; 95% CI: 2.50-13.33; P = 0.002), comparing the upper with the lower quartiles of intake. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that independently of total energy intake, substituting AA by butyrate, ALA, or omega-3 FA may reduce CRC risk. The role of interactions between vitamin C, total carotenoids, and polyunsaturated FA requires further investigation.     

Maternal exposure to nitrate from drinking water and diet and risk for neural tube defects

In this population-based case-control study conducted in California between June 1989 and May 1991, the authors investigated the association between maternal periconceptional exposure to nitrate from drinking water and diet and risk for neural tube defects. The mothers of 538 cases and 539 nonmalformed controls were interviewed regarding residential history, consumption of tap water at home, and dietary intake during the periconceptional period. Dietary nitrate exposure was not associated with increased risk for neural tube defects. Exposure to nitrate in drinking water at concentrations above the 45 mg/liter maximum contaminant level was associated with increased risk for anencephaly (odds ratio (OR) = 4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 15.4), but not for spina bifida. Increased risks for anencephaly were observed at nitrate levels below the maximum contaminant level among groundwater drinkers only (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1,4.1 for 5-15 mg/liter; OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 4.5 for 16-35 mg/liter; and OR = 6.9, 95% CI: 1.9, 24.9 for 36-67 mg/liter compared with <5 mg/liter). Adjustment for identified risk factors for anencephaly did not substantially alter these associations, nor did control for maternal dietary nitrate, total vitamin C intake, and quantity of tap water consumed. The lack of an observed elevation in risk for anencephaly in association with exposure to mixed water containing nitrate at levels comparable with the concentration in groundwater may indicate that something other than nitrate accounts for these findings.     

Fiber Intake and Risk of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study

Some studies examined the inverse relation between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk and dietary fibers in endemic populations. By means of a hospital-based case-control study, we verified whether this association was also present in Italy in connection with various types of dietary fibers. Cases were 198 patients with incident, histologically confirmed, NPC admitted to major teaching and general hospitals during 1992–2008. Controls were 594 patients admitted for acute, nonneoplastic conditions to the same hospital network of cases. Information was elicited using a validated food frequency questionnaire including 78 foods, food groups, or dishes. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for quartiles of intake of different types of fiber after allowance for energy intake and other potential confounding factors. Total fiber intake was inversely related to risk of NPC (OR = 0.58 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile of intake; 95% CI: 0.34–0.96). We found an inverse association for total soluble (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35–0.96) and total insoluble fiber (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33–0.95), in particular cellulose (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33–0.96), and lignin (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31–0.85). In conclusion, this study suggests that dietary intake of soluble and insoluble fibers is inversely related to NPC risk in a nonendemic southern population.     

Association of food access and neighbor relationships with diet and underweight among community-dwelling older Japanese

BackgroundFood access is important for maintaining dietary variety, which predicts underweight. The aim of this study was to examine the association of food access and neighbor relationships with eating and underweight.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from 102,869 Japanese individuals aged 65 years or older. The perceived availability of food was assessed using the presence or absence of food stores within 1 km of the home. Level of relationships with neighbors was also assessed. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for infrequent food intake and underweight were determined using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe proportion of men and women having low access to food was 25–30%. Having low food access (OR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.12–1.25 for men and OR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.19–1.33 for women) and a low level of relationship with neighbors (OR 1.38; 95% CI, 1.31–1.45 for men and OR 1.57; 95% CI, 1.48–1.67 for women) was associated with infrequent intake of fruits and vegetables in both sexes. Association between low food access and infrequent intake of fruits and vegetables was higher among men with low levels of neighbor relationship (OR 1.34; 95% CI, 1.23–1.46) than among men with high levels of relationship (OR 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.18).ConclusionsLow perceived availability of food is a risk factor for low dietary variety among older people. Furthermore, high levels of relationship with neighbors may relieve the harmful effect of low food access.     

Dietary acrylamide intake and the risk of renal cell, bladder, and prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen, was recently detected in various heat-treated carbohydrate-rich foods. Epidemiologic studies on the relation with cancer have been few and largely negative. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to prospectively examine the association between dietary acrylamide intake and renal cell, bladder, and prostate cancers. DESIGN: The Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer includes 120,852 men and women aged 55-69 y. At baseline (1986), a random subcohort of 5000 participants was selected for a case-cohort analysis approach using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Acrylamide intake was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire at baseline and was based on chemical analysis of all relevant Dutch foods. RESULTS: After 13.3 y of follow-up, 339, 1210, and 2246 cases of renal cell, bladder, and prostate cancer, respectively, were available for analysis. Compared with the lowest quintile of acrylamide intake (mean intake: 9.5 microg/d), multivariable-adjusted hazard rates for renal cell, bladder, and prostate cancer in the highest quintile (mean intake: 40.8 microg/d) were 1.59 (95% CI: 1.09, 2.30; P for trend = 0.04), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.15; P for trend = 0.60), and 1.06 (95% CI: 0.87, 1.30; P for trend = 0.69), respectively. There was an inverse nonsignificant trend for advanced prostate cancer in never smokers. CONCLUSIONS: We found some indications for a positive association between dietary acrylamide and renal cell cancer risk. There were no positive associations with bladder and prostate cancer risk.     

Milk Consumption and Bladder Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Published Epidemiological Studies

Studies investigating the association of milk consumption with bladder cancer risk have reported inconsistent findings. We conducted a meta-analysis of published cohort and case-control studies to pool the risk estimates of the association between milk intake and bladder cancer. We quantified associations with bladder cancer using meta-analysis of odds ratio (OR) associated with the highest vs. the lowest category of milk intake using fixed- or random-effect models depending on the heterogeneity of effects among studies. Nineteen cohort and case-control studies were eligible for inclusion. High milk intake was significantly associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71–0.97) when comparing the highest with the lowest category of milk intake. The inverse association was stronger in Asia (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40–0.81) than North America (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76–1.03), and no association was observed in Europe (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85–1.26). This relationship also varied significantly by specific dairy products. Our results suggest that milk may be related to the reduction of bladder cancer risk. Further studies need to clarify the biological mechanisms.     

Total fluid and water consumption and the joint effect of exposure to disinfection by-products on risk of bladder cancer

BACKGROUND: Findings on water and total fluid intake and bladder cancer are inconsistent; this may, in part, be due to different levels of carcinogens in drinking water. High levels of arsenic and chlorinated by-products in drinking water have been associated with elevated bladder cancer risk in most studies. A pooled analysis based on six case-control studies observed a positive association between tap water and bladder cancer but none for nontap fluid intake, suggesting that contaminants in tap water may be responsible for the excess risk. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between total fluid and water consumption and bladder cancer risk, as well as the interaction between water intake and trihalomethane (THM) exposure, in a large case-control study in Spain. METHODS: A total of 397 bladder cancer cases and 664 matched controls were available for this analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Total fluid intake was associated with a decrease in bladder cancer risk [OR = 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.40-0.95 for highest vs. lowest quintile comparison]. A significant inverse association was observed for water intake (for > 1,399 vs. < 400 mL/day, OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33-0.66; p for trend < 0.0001), but not for other individual beverages. The inverse association between water intake and bladder cancer persisted within each level of THM exposure; we found no statistical interaction (p for interaction = 0.13). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest that water intake is inversely associated with bladder cancer risk, regardless of THM exposure level.     

Milk consumption and bladder cancer risk: a meta-analysis of published epidemiological studies

Studies investigating the association of milk consumption with bladder cancer risk have reported inconsistent findings. We conducted a meta-analysis of published cohort and case-control studies to pool the risk estimates of the association between milk intake and bladder cancer. We quantified associations with bladder cancer using meta-analysis of odds ratio (OR) associated with the highest vs. the lowest category of milk intake using fixed- or random-effect models depending on the heterogeneity of effects among studies. Nineteen cohort and case-control studies were eligible for inclusion. High milk intake was significantly associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71-0.97) when comparing the highest with the lowest category of milk intake. The inverse association was stronger in Asia (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40-0.81) than North America (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.03), and no association was observed in Europe (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85-1.26). This relationship also varied significantly by specific dairy products. Our results suggest that milk may be related to the reduction of bladder cancer risk. Further studies need to clarify the biological mechanisms.     

Cigarette smoking and risk of bladder, pancreas, kidney, and colorectal cancers in Iowa

PURPOSE: Although there are numerous reports on the effects of cigarette smoking and cancer, they have infrequently compared risks at more than one cancer site after multivariate adjustment. We analyzed data from a population-based case-control study that included five anatomic sites to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and each cancer site and to rank the associations by site. METHODS: Study respondents included 1452 bladder, 406 kidney, 376 pancreatic, 685 colon, and 655 rectal cancer cases, as well as 2434 population controls. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on cigarette smoking and other potential confounders including occupation, drinking water source, and dietary practices. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), after adjustment for age, total energy intake, and other site- and sex-specific confounders. RESULTS: In both sexes, cigarette smoking (ever vs. never) was associated with risk of bladder cancer (OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 2.0-3.1 for males; OR = 2.7; 2.0-3.6 for females) and pancreatic cancer (OR = 1.8; 1.2-2.8 for males; OR = 2.1; 1.4-3.1 for females). Cigarette smoking also increased the risk of kidney cancer among males (OR = 1.8; 1.3-2.7), and to a lesser degree, among females (OR = 1.2; 0.8-1.8). No association was found for colon or rectal cancer in either sex. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking increased the risk of bladder, kidney, and pancreatic cancer in men and women. The rankings of multivariate-adjusted ORs from highest to lowest were bladder, pancreas, kidney, and colorectum, with little difference between men and women.