Fruit and vegetable intake during pregnancy and risk for development of sporadic retinoblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the causes of sporadic (noninherited) retinoblastoma. Rates seem to be somewhat higher among poorer populations in Mexico. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of carotenoids and folate. We examined whether decreased gestational maternal intake of fruits and vegetables may contribute to development of sporadic retinoblastoma. METHODS: At the Instituto Nacional de Pediatria in Mexico City, we conducted a hospital-based case-control study to evaluate prenatal maternal diet. We examined dietary intake of fruits and vegetables of mothers of 101 children with retinoblastoma and 172 control children using a dietary recall questionnaire and published food nutrient content tables. RESULTS: The reported number of mean daily servings of fruits and vegetables was lower among case mothers when compared with control mothers [vegetables: 2.28 in controls, 1.75 in cases (P < 0.01); fruits: 2.13 in controls, 1.59 in cases (P = 0.07)]. Mean daily maternal folate intake from both vegetables and fruits was higher in controls (103 microg) than in cases (48 microg; P < 0.05). Risk for having a child with retinoblastoma was increased for mothers consuming fewer than 2 daily servings of vegetables [odds ratios (OR), 3.4; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 2.0-6.0] or with a low intake of folate (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.1, 7.3), or lutein/zeaxanthin (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5-4.6) derived from fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased intake of vegetables and fruits during pregnancy and the consequent decreased intake of nutrients such as folate and lutein/zeaxanthin, necessary for DNA methylation, synthesis, and retinal function, may increase risk for having a child with sporadic retinoblastoma.     

Do dietary lycopene and other carotenoids protect against prostate cancer?

To determine whether dietary intake of lycopene and other carotenoids has an etiological association with prostate cancer, a case-control study was conducted in Hangzhou, southeast China during 2001-2002. The cases were 130 incident patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The controls were 274 hospital inpatients without prostate cancer or any other malignant diseases. Information on usual food consumption, including vegetables and fruits, was collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured food frequency questionnaire. The risks of prostate cancer for the intake of carotenoids and selected vegetables and fruits rich in carotenoids were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for age, locality, education, income, body mass index, marital status, number of children, family history of prostate cancer, tea drinking, total fat and caloric intake. The prostate cancer risk declined with increasing consumption of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Intake of tomatoes, pumpkin, spinach, watermelon and citrus fruits were also inversely associated with the prostate cancer risk. The adjusted odds ratios for the highest versus the lowest quartiles of intake were 0.18 (95% CI: 0.08-0.41) for lycopene, 0.43 (95% CI: 0.21-0.85) for alpha-carotene, 0.34 (95% CI: 0.17-0.69) for beta-carotene, 0.15 (95% CI: 0.06-0.34) for beta-cryptoxanthin and 0.02 (95% CI: 0.01-0.10) for lutein and zeaxanthin. The corresponding dose-response relationships were also significant, suggesting that vegetables and fruits rich in lycopene and other carotenoids may be protective against prostate cancer.     

Dietary carotenoids and the risk of invasive breast cancer

Certain classes of vitamins and nutrients found in fruits and vegetables have been of particular interest in relation to cancer prevention, owing to their potential anticarcinogenic properties. We examined the association between certain fruits, vegetables, carotenoids, and vitamin A and breast cancer risk in a large population‐based case‐control study of women residing in the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. The study was comprised of 5,707 women with incident invasive breast cancer (2,363 premenopausal women and 3,516 postmenopausal women) and 6,389 population controls (2,594 premenopausal women and 3,516 postmenopausal women). In an interview, women were asked about their intake of carotenoid rich fruits and vegetables 5 years prior to a referent date. An inverse association observed among premenopausal women was for high levels of vitamin A (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68–0.98, p for trend = 0.01), β‐carotene (OR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.68–0.98, p for trend = 0.009), α‐carotene (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68–0.98, p for trend = 0.07) and lutein/zeaxanthin (OR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.68–0.99, p for trend = 0.02). An inverse association was not observed among postmenopausal women. Among premenopausal women who reported ever smoking, these results were stronger than among never smokers, although tests for interaction were not statistically significant. Results from this study are comparable to previous prospective studies, and suggest that a high consumption of carotenoids may reduce the risk of premenopausal but not postmenopausal breast cancer, particularly among smokers. © 2009 UICC     

Diet and Cancer Risk in the Korean Population: A Metaanalysis

Many studies have found links between diet and cancer. The summary estimates of the association betweendietary factors and cancer risk were investigated using previously reported studies of the Korean population.Gastric cancer risk was inversely associated with the high intake of soy foods [OR (95% CI): 0.32 (0.25-0.40)for soybean, 0.56 (0.45-0.71) for soybean curd, and 0.67 (0.46-0.98) for soymilk], allium vegetables [OR (95%CI): 0.37 (0.26-0.53) for green onion, 0.54 (0.40-0.73) for garlic, and 0.54 (0.35-0.85) for onion], fruits [OR (95%CI): 0.61 (0.42-0.88)], and mushrooms [OR (95% CI): 0.43 (0.21-0.88)]. Salt and Kimchi were associated with anincreased gastric cancer risk [OR (95% CI): 1.92 (1.52-2.43) and 2.21 (1.29-3.77), respectively]. Colorectal cancerrisk was positively associated with meat intake [OR (95% CI): 1.25 (1.15-1.36)]. Total soy products, soybeancurd, and soymilk showed an inverse association with breast cancer risk [OR (95% CI): 0.61 (0.38-0.99), 0.47(0.34-0.66), and 0.75 (0.57-0.98), respectively]. Green/yellow and light colored vegetables were associated witha reduced risk of breast cancer [OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.23-0.49) and 0.44 (0.21-0.90), respectively]. Mushroomintake was inversely associated in pre-menopausal women only [OR (95% CI): 0.47 (0.26-0.86)]. In conclusion,soy foods, fruits and vegetables might reduce cancer risk in the Korean population. High salt food might be riskfactor for gastric cancer, and intake of high amount of meat might cause colorectal cancer.     

Intake of fruits,vegetables and selected micronutrients in relation to the risk of breast cancer

High fruit and vegetable intake has been linked with a reduced risk of breast cancer, but evidence is not consistent. We investigated the associations of breast cancer risk with vegetables, fruits and related micronutrient intake in a population-based case-control study among Chinese women in Shanghai, where dietary patterns differ substantially from other study populations. Included in the study were 1,459 incident breast cancer cases and 1,556 frequency-matched controls. Usual dietary habits were assessed by in-person interviews. Logistic regression was used to compute adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to measure strength of the associations. There was no association between breast cancer risk and total vegetable intake. The risk of breast cancer declined, however, with increasing intake of dark yellow-orange vegetables (trend test, p = 0.02), Chinese white turnips (trend test, p 相似文献   

Dietary carotenoids and vitamins A, C, and E and risk of breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Data on intake of specific carotenoids and breast cancer risk are limited. Furthermore, studies of vitamins A, C, and E in relation to breast cancer risk are inconclusive. We have conducted a large, prospective study to evaluate long-term intakes of these nutrients and breast cancer risk. METHODS: We examined, by use of multivariate analysis, associations between intakes of specific carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E , consumption of fruits and vegetables, and breast cancer risk in a cohort of 83234 women (aged 33-60 years in 1980) who were participating in the Nurses' Health Study. Through 1994, we identified 2697 incident cases of invasive breast cancer (784 premenopausal and 1913 postmenopausal). RESULTS: Intakes of beta-carotene from food and supplements, lutein/zeaxanthin, and vitamin A from foods were weakly inversely associated with breast cancer risk in premenopausal women. Strong inverse associations were found for increasing quintiles of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, total vitamin C from foods, and total vitamin A among premenopausal women with a positive family history of breast cancer. An inverse association was also found for increasing quintiles of beta-carotene among premenopausal women who consumed 15 g or more of alcohol per day. Premenopausal women who consumed five or more servings per day of fruits and vegetables had modestly lower risk of breast cancer than those who had less than two servings per day (relative risk [RR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.58-1.02); this association was stronger among premenopausal women who had a positive family history of breast cancer (RR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.13-0.62) or those who consumed 15 g or more of alcohol per day (RR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.27-1.04). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of fruits and vegetables high in specific carotenoids and vitamins may reduce premenopausal breast cancer risk.     

Maternal diet and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in young children.

Because leukemia clone-specific chromosomal abnormalities are present at birth in children who later develop leukemia, it has been hypothesized that maternal factors, including nutrition during pregnancy, might affect the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) among young children. We have evaluated this hypothesis in a nationwide case-control study of ALL among children ages 12 to 59 months in Greece. Children (n=131) with ALL were gender and age matched to control children (n=131) hospitalized for minor conditions between 1999 and 2003. The mothers of the children were interviewed in person by trained interviewers who used an extensive food frequency questionnaire addressing diet during the index pregnancy. The analysis was done by modeling the data through conditional logistic regression, also controlling for total energy intake and possible confounding factors. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were expressed per quintile increase of maternal intake during pregnancy of the specified food group. The risk of ALL in the offspring was lower with increased maternal intake of fruits (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57-0.91), vegetables (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60-0.95), and fish and seafood (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59-0.89) and higher with increased maternal intake of sugars and syrups (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.05-1.67) and meat and meat products (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00-1.57). Children of women who tend to consume during their pregnancies what is currently considered to be a healthy diet maybe at lower risk of ALL.     

Diet, GSTM1 and GSTT1 and head and neck cancer

A decreased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) associated with fruit and vegetable intake may act through chemopreventive compounds, which may be more available to persons homozygous for the deletion genotypes of the glutathione S-transferase (GST). We evaluated interactions between fruits and vegetables and GSTM1 and GSTT1 on incidence of SCCHN using data from a case-control study of 149 cases and 180 age- and gender-matched controls. After adjustment for age, gender, race, tobacco and alcohol use, weekly consumption of four or more servings of raw vegetables was inversely associated with SCCHN [odds ratio (OR) = 0.66, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.30-1.3]. Contrary to expectation, relatively high intake of cooked vegetables (14 or more weekly servings) and legumes (two or more weekly servings) were associated with increased incidence (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-6.0; OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.2, respectively). In general, our results did not suggest a clear or consistent pattern of modification by GST genotypes of the association between foods and SCCHN. For example, eating cruciferous vegetables, foods of a priori interest, and having the GSTM1-deletion genotype was not associated with the expected reduction in incidence compared with abstaining from cruciferous vegetable intake and having the GSTM1-present genotype. Among non-consumers of cruciferous vegetables, the GSTM1-deletion genotype was inversely associated with SCCHN (OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.07-4.2). Raw vegetables were associated with a reduction in incidence only among persons with the GSTM1-deletion genotype (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.29-1.6), whereas either factor alone had a null association. Future research of GST-diet interactions and SCCHN would benefit from larger, population-based studies.     

Fruits,Vegetables and the Risk of Cancer: a Multisite Case-Control Study in Uruguay

Introduction: Previous studies have suggested that high intake of fruit and vegetables may decrease the riskof a wide range of cancers, but this evidence has been challenged by the results of recent studies. Methods: Tofurther explore the association between fruit and vegetable intake and cancer risk we conducted a case-controlstudy of 11 cancer sites in Uruguay between 1996 and 2004, including 3,539 cancer cases and 2,032 hospitalcontrols. We used unconditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)of cancer associations. Results: In the multivariable model higher intake of fruits and vegetables combined wasassociated with a decreased risk of cancers of the esophagus (odds ratio, OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.97), lung(OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.57-0.98), breast (OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.31-0.71), prostate (OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.44-0.92)and all sites combined (OR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.61-0.87). When evaluated separately, fruit intake was more stronglyassociated with decreased cancer risk than vegetables. These inverse associations were mainly observed in men,among persons with high intake of meat, alcohol drinkers and among smokers. Conclusion: Our results providesome evidence that high intake of fruits and vegetables and particularly fruit may decrease the risk of cancer.However, because of the possibility that these findings could be due to residual confounding from intake ofmeat, alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking, further studies in populations with a large number of participantswith low or no exposure to these potential confounding factors are warranted.     

Healthy Plant Foods Intake Could Protect Against Prostate Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study

Background: Several studies have investigated the association between healthy plant foods intake and prostate cancer risk with inconsistent results. So this study was conducted to examine the existence of any possible association between healthy plant foods and prostate cancer risk. Materials and Methods: Sixty newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases and 60 controls engaged in a hospital-based case-control study. A validated 16o-items semi-quantitative FFQ was used to assess usual dietary intakes. Energy-adjusted amounts of healthy plant foods intake were calculated using the residual method. Logistic regression model was also used to derive beta estimates and odds ratios. Results: Cases were older and more likely to be inactive. In crude model, individuals in the highest tertile vs lowest tertile of total healthy plant foods (OR= 0.12; 95 % CI 0.04, 0.34), total fruits (OR= 0.11; 95 % CI 0.04, 0.30), total vegetables (OR= 0.08; 95 % CI 0.03, 0.24), fresh fruits (OR= 0.11; 95 % CI 0.04, 0.30), and raw vegetables (OR= 0.06; 95 % CI 0.02, 0.18) had significantly lower risk of prostate cancer. After controlling for potential confounders (age, BMI, total energy intake, job, education, smoking, physical activity, some drug usage, and also dietary intakes), just total healthy plant foods (OR= 0.12; 95 % CI 0.02, 0.55), total vegetables (OR=0.03; 95 % CI 0.00, 0.25), and raw vegetables (OR= 0.01; 95 % CI 0.00, 0.12) were associated with lower prostate cancer risk. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a diet rich in healthy plant foods and especially total or raw vegetable may protect against prostate cancer.     

Food Intake and Colorectal Adenomas: A Case-Control Study in Malaysia

It is well established that almost all colorectal cancers arise from benign, neoplastic adenomatous polyps. Inprevious studies, intake of fruits, vegetables and legumes were found to decrease the risk for colorectal adenomas(CRA) and colorectal cancer. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the role of a variety of foods in contributingto the risk of CRA in Malaysian subjects. One hundred and eighteen subjects were recruited into case (n=59)and control (n=59) groups at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). A pre-tested quantitative food frequencyquestionnaire (FFQ) was used to record the types of food items and frequency consumed. Logistic regressionwas used to determine the crude and adjusted odds ratios of the independent variables. Soy bean and soyproducts were associated with a reduced risk for CRA (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.15-0.98), while tubers wereassociated with increase in risk four-fold (OR = 4.14, 95% CI = 1.60-10.70) and red meat intake was found toincrease the risk two and a half-fold (OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.02-6.28). Higher servings of fruits and vegetableswere found to significantly decrease the risk (OR fruits= 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30-0.74; OR vegetables = 0.49, 95%= 0.29-0.80). In conclusion, our data support protective roles for soy, fruits and vegetables in the aetiology ofcolorectal adenomas and increase in risk in those with high intakes of red meat and tubers. Food intake of anindividual may have an influence on one’s risk for developing CRA. This finding warrants further investigationbefore the protective effect of these food items is to be accepted. New studies should explore the possibility ofthese associations among individuals in the general population especially with regard to different ethnic orother groups in Malaysia with low fruit and vegetable consumption.     

Fruit and vegetable consumption and incidence of gastric cancer: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Whether fruit and vegetable consumption may confer protection from gastric cancer remains controversial. METHODS: We prospectively investigated the association between consumption of fruits and vegetables and the incidence of gastric cancer among participants from two population-based cohort studies: 36,664 women in the Swedish Mammography Cohort and 45,338 men in the Cohort of Swedish Men. Participants completed a food-frequency questionnaire in 1997 and were followed up for cancer incidence through June 2005. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate multivariate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 7.2 years, we ascertained 139 incident cases of gastric cancer. Vegetable consumption was inversely associated with risk of gastric cancer, whereas no significant association was observed for fruit consumption. After controlling for age and other risk factors, women and men who consumed > or =2.5 servings/d of vegetables had a HR of 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34-0.93) for developing gastric cancer compared with those who consumed <1 serving/d. The respective HR for fruit consumption was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.52-1.43). Among specific subgroups of vegetables, consumption of green leafy vegetables and root vegetables was inversely associated with risk of gastric cancer; the multivariate HRs comparing > or =3 servings/wk with <0.5 serving/wk were 0.64 (95% CI, 0.42-0.99) for green leafy vegetables and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.27-0.69) for root vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent consumption of vegetables may reduce the risk of gastric cancer.     

Plant foods and risk of laryngeal cancer: A case-control study in Uruguay

In order to examine the relationships between plant foods, defined as the grouping of vegetables, fruits, tubers and legumes, with the risk of developing laryngeal cancer, a case-control study was conducted in Uruguay between 1998-1999. The study included 148 cases with histologically verified squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, which were frequency matched on age, residence and urban/rural status with 444 hospitalized controls, afflicted by non-neoplastic conditions. Both series of patients were face-to-face interviewed in the hospitals shortly after admittance using a detailed questionnaire. This questionnaire included 62 queries on food items, representative of the usual diet of the Uruguayan population. Food items and food groups were adjusted for tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and total energy intake. High consumption of plant foods was associated with an OR of 0.42 (95% CI 0.21-0.84). Among subgroups of plant foods, fruits and raw vegetables were associated with a strong reduction in risk (OR for the highest quartile of raw vegetables 0.29, 95% CI 0.15-0.56). Also, legumes were associated with a protective effect (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.33-1.19). Among individual food items, tomatoes and oranges were associated with the stronger protective effects (OR for tomato intake 0.32, 95% CI 0. 17-0.58). The joint effect of heavy smoking and the low intake of vegetables and fruits displayed an increased risk of 19.2 (95% CI 5. 7-64.9).     

Fruits and vegetables intake and gastric cancer risk: A pooled analysis within the Stomach cancer Pooling Project

A low intake of fruits and vegetables is a risk factor for gastric cancer, although there is uncertainty regarding the magnitude of the associations. In our study, the relationship between fruits and vegetables intake and gastric cancer was assessed, complementing a previous work on the association betweenconsumption of citrus fruits and gastric cancer. Data from 25 studies (8456 cases and 21 133 controls) with information on fruits and/or vegetables intake were used. A two-stage approach based on random-effects models was used to pool study-specific adjusted (sex, age and the main known risk factors for gastric cancer) odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Exposure-response relations, including linear and nonlinear associations, were modeled using one- and two-order fractional polynomials. Gastric cancer risk was lower for a higher intake of fruits (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64-0.90), noncitrus fruits (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.73-1.02), vegetables (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.56-0.84), and fruits and vegetables (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49-0.75); results were consistent across sociodemographic and lifestyles categories, as well as study characteristics. Exposure-response analyses showed an increasingly protective effect of portions/day of fruits (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.57-0.73 for six portions), noncitrus fruits (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61-0.83 for six portions) and vegetables (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.43-0.60 for 10 portions). A protective effect of all fruits, noncitrus fruits and vegetables was confirmed, supporting further dietary recommendations to decrease the burden of gastric cancer.     

Associations between 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase codon 677 and 1298 genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors with reference to susceptibility to colorectal cancer: a case-control study in an Indian population

Although the incidence rate of colorectal cancer is very low, and rectal cancer remains more common in India, a significant increase in its incidence has been reported for both men and women over the last 2 decades. We evaluated MTHFR genetic susceptibility and common environmental risk factors in the development of colon and rectal cancer, and assessed the interactions between gene and environmental factors with colorectal cancer in a case-control study in the Indian population. The study included 59 colon cancer cases, 243 rectal cancer cases and 291 controls. The variant MTHFR 677T allele is rare, while the 1298C allele is common among Indians. MTHFR 677T showed no association with colon cancer (OR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.28-2.05) and a nonstatistically significantly elevated risk with rectal cancer (OR = 1.51; 95% CI 0.86-2.68), and MTHFR 1298 CC genotype was found to be associated with a significantly decreased risk for both colon cancer (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-0.81) and rectal cancer (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.23-0.80). High intake of nonfried vegetables or fruits was inversely associated with both colon and rectal cancer risk. Especially, the combination of a high intake of nonfried vegetables and MTHFR 1298CC genotype was associated with the lowest rectal cancer risk (OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.09-0.52). Regarding alcohol consumption, indigenous Indian alcohol drinkers (OR = 2.26, 95% CI 0.86-6.36), and those consuming alcohol for duration more than 20 years (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 0.73-3.33), were at a somewhat higher rectal cancer risk. Moreover, the consumed alcohol amount (gram-years) may be also associated with colon or rectal cancer risk.     

Fruits, vegetables, and micronutrients in relation to breast cancer modified by menopause and hormone receptor status.

Whether fruit, vegetable, and antioxidant micronutrient consumption is associated with a reduction in breast cancer incidence remains unresolved. To address this issue, we analyzed data from a large population-based case-control study, with consideration given to whether the associations varied with menopausal status or with clinical characteristics of the cases' disease. Study participants completed a modified Block food frequency questionnaire, which included assessment of the frequency and portion sizes of 13 fruits and fruit juices and 16 vegetables and the use of multiple and single vitamin supplements. Statistical analyses were done on 1,463 cases and 1,500 controls. Among postmenopausal women, reduced odds ratios [OR; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] were noted for the highest fifth, as compared with the lowest fifth, of intake of any vegetables [0.63 (0.46-0.86); P for trend < 0.01] and leafy vegetables [0.66 (0.50-0.86); P for trend = 0.03] after controlling for age and energy intake. Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) were also decreased for postmenopausal breast cancer in relation to high intake of carotenoids, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, and particularly lycopene [0.66 (0.48-0.90); P for trend = 0.03]. Inverse associations for fruits and vegetables were stronger for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)+ tumors (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51-0.82) than ER- tumors (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.64-1.32), but results were less consistent for micronutrients. No similarly reduced associations were observed among premenopausal women. ORs did not appreciably differ by in situ or invasive breast cancer or by whether cases had begun chemotherapy. Our results support an inverse association for fruit and vegetable intake among postmenopausal but not premenopausal breast cancer, which may be more pronounced among women with ER+ tumors.     

Plasma levels of carotenoids, retinol and tocopherol and the risk of gastric cancer in Japan: a nested case-control study

Fruits and vegetables have been suggested to confer protection against diseases such as cancer through the effects of antioxidants, often represented by carotenoids. We investigated the impact of carotenoids, retinol and tocopherol on gastric cancer development in a large nested case-control study among Japanese with known Helicobacter pylori infection status. A total of 36 745 subjects aged 40-69 in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study who responded to the baseline questionnaire and provided blood samples in 1990-1995 were followed until 2004. Plasma levels of carotenoids in 511 gastric cancer cases and 511 matched controls were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models. Plasma level of beta-carotene was inversely associated with the risk of gastric cancer (compared with the lowest quartile: OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.31-0.75; OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.31-0.75 and OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.28-0.75, for quartile 2, 3 and 4, respectively, P(trend) < 0.01). Inverse associations were evident in men for alpha-carotene (P(trend) = 0.04) and beta-carotene (P(trend) < 0.01), but not in women, who had relatively higher plasma levels compared with men. We found no statistically significant association between plasma levels of lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, retinol, alpha- or gamma-tocopherol and gastric cancer risk. Our findings suggest that those who have very low plasma levels of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are at a higher risk of gastric cancer.     

Dietary fiber, beta-carotene and breast cancer: results from a case-control study

To study the association between dietary fiber, beta-carotene and breast cancer, the average daily intake of these dietary components was compared among 133 incident breast cancer cases and 238 population controls. Average daily intake of cereal products, fruit and vegetables was also studied. A statistically significant lower energy-adjusted intake of dietary fiber was observed in cases than in controls (mean +/- SD: 25.4 +/- 6.7 g vs. 27.7 +/- 7.4 g, 95% confidence interval (CI) of the age-adjusted difference = -3.8, -0.8). Intake of beta-carotene was similar for cases and controls. The multivariate adjusted odds ratio (OR) of breast cancer among women in the highest quartile of intake of cereal products, as compared to those in the lowest quartile, was 0.42 (95% CI = 0.19-0.92) and the trend was statistically significant (p = 0.03). The corresponding OR for intake of dietary fiber was 0.55 (95% CI = 0.26-1.17) but the trend was not significant. The OR for the highest quartile of intake of beta-carotene, fruit, vegetables, and all vegetable products combined was less than unity, but there was no significant inverse trend. These results suggest that a high intake of cereal products, especially those rich in fiber, may be inversely related to incidence of breast cancer.     

Risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Results of a Case-Control Study

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children. Differentenvironmental factors might be effective in the occurrence of this malignancy during childhood. The aim of this studywas to find environmental risk factors in childhood ALL in Hamadan, Iran. Methods: This case-control study wasdone in 2015-2018 on 125 children younger than 15 years of age suffering from ALL. Patients were matched with130 controls with respect to age, gender, and residence location. The identification of risk factors for ALL was soughtbased on the comparison of studied variables between case and control individuals. Results: A statistically significantincreased risk for ALL was found with regard to type of delivery (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20 - 0.92, p˂0.02), childcare(OR: 4.58, 95% CI: 0.95 - 22.20, p˂0.04), birth weight (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.53 - 2.21, p˂0.006), father’s educationlevel (OR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.10 - 6.45, p˂0.02), and father’s job (OR: 0.2 95% CI: 0.08 - 0.51, p˂0.001). Also observedwere increased odds for ALL regarding male gender, mother’s high education level, mother’s freelance job, and mediumor high family income. No association with ALL incidence was observed for age, gender, breastfeeding, mother’s ageat pregnancy, malignancy in first- or second-degree relatives, or mother’s use of hair dye during pregnancy (p> 0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that father’s education level, father’s job, delivery type, birth weight, and childcarecan play a role in the incidence of childhood ALL.     

Dietary intakes of carotenoids and other nutrients in the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case–control study in Italy

Background:

Dietary habits have been related to the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but information on a wide range of macro- and micronutrients is still lacking, particularly for low-incidence countries.

Methods:

We conducted a hospital-based case–control study in Italy on 198, histologically confirmed, NPC cases of Caucasian ethnicity of 18–76 years of age. Controls were 594 Caucasian cancer-free patients admitted to general hospitals for acute conditions. Nutrients intake was assessed through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated through logistic regression.

Results:

Dietary intake of carotenoids were inversely related to NPC risk, notably carotene (OR for highest vs lowest quartile=0.46; 95% CI: 0.26–0.79), α-carotene (OR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.33–0.97), and β-carotene (OR=0.42; 95% CI: 0.24–0.75). Increased NPC risk was observed for elevate cholesterol intake (OR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.12–3.05).

Conclusion:

Study findings suggest a protective effect of carotenoids against NPC in a low-risk population, adding further support to a possible beneficial role of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables in cancers of the head and neck.