NEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters Health) - Individuals who enjoy diets rich in meat, cheese and whole milk may be at increased risk of developing cancer of the esophagus and the stomach, according to the results of a recent study.

The rates of two types of cancer--gastric cardia and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus--have risen rapidly over the past 30 years, researchers report. To investigate potential links between these and two other types of stomach and esophageal cancers and dietary factors, Dr. Susan T. Mayne from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and colleagues interviewed more than 1,000 patients and nearly 700 healthy people in three states.

Total fat intake and intake of saturated fat each doubled the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, the investigators found. Saturated fat also raised the risk of gastric cardia, which affects the upper part of the stomach, and another type of cancer of the esophagus--esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cholesterol, animal protein and vitamin B12, found primarily in animal products, were also associated with a higher risk of these cancers.

Intake of fiber, beta-carotene, folate, vitamin C and vitamin B6 were associated with a lower risk of all four cancer types studied. Use of a vitamin C supplement at least once a week for 6 or more months also showed a significant association with a lower risk of these cancers, the report indicates.

Intake of salt and nitrites were each linked with risk of noncardia gastric cancer, according to the report in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

"These results have implications for strategies aimed at preventing all of these cancers, but especially for adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and gastric cardia, given their increasing incidence rates," Mayne and colleagues conclude.

In other findings, the risk of obesity was higher in people who were diagnosed with these cancers.

"Our results suggest that prevention strategies for these cancers should emphasize increased consumption of plant foods, decreased consumption of foods of animal origin...and control of obesity," Mayne said in a prepared statement.

SOURCE: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 2001 October.

http://www.reutershealth.com/archiv...017elin009.html