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Dietary risk factors for hypopharyngeal cancer in India

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Abstract

Objective

The Indian subcontinent has among the highest rates of hypopharyngeal cancer worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between the Indian diet and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods

We used data from a hospital-based case–control study of 513 incident hypopharyngeal cancers and 718 controls from four centers in India. Dietary information was assessed using a 67-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Intakes of related foods were combined across food groups and were categorized by quartile. We used unconditional logistic regression modeling, stratified by ever tobacco use, to analyze the association between food intakes and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Results

Among persons who had ever smoked or chewed tobacco, protective associations were seen at the highest quartiles of total fruit intake (OR = 0.37, 0.20–0.69), curds (OR = 0.35, 0.17–0.69), and leafy green (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.13–0.51), root (OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.11–0.43), and cruciferous vegetable intakes (OR = 0.41, 0.20–0.84). Results were similar, although not as robust, among persons who had never smoked or chewed tobacco. An increased risk of disease was seen among tobacco users who drank milk daily (OR = 1.84, 1.14–2.98).

Conclusions

Dietary factors might contribute to the high risk of hypopharyngeal cancer observed in India.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Karin Zitzewitz for her valuable contributions in discussions on the Indian diet. We would also like to thank our study staff and participants in India, without whom this work would not have been possible. This study was supported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

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Correspondence to Mia Hashibe.

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Heck, J.E., Sapkota, A., Vendhan, G. et al. Dietary risk factors for hypopharyngeal cancer in India. Cancer Causes Control 19, 1329–1337 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9204-z

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