Journal of Epidemiology
Online ISSN : 1349-9092
Print ISSN : 0917-5040
ISSN-L : 0917-5040
The Japan Collaborative Cohort Study (JACC Study) for Evaluation of Canner Risk sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan (Monbusho): Report of Selected Results by Site
Alcohol Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk: Findings from the JACC Study
Kenji WakaiMasayo KojimaKoji TamakoshiYoshiyuki WatanabeNorihiko HayakawaKoji SuzukiShuji HashimotoMiyuki KawadoShinkan TokudomeSadao SuzukiKotaro OzasaHideaki ToyoshimaYoshinori ItoAkiko Tamakoshi
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2005 Volume 15 Issue Supplement_II Pages S173-S179

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Because alcohol drinking is a potential risk factor for colorectal cancer, the trend in alcohol consumption in Japan may partly explain the increase in incidence and mortality rates of this malignancy until 1990-1995.
METHODS: We analyzed data from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. From 1988 to 1990, 23,708 men and 34,028 women, aged 40-79 years, completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors including drinking habits. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated by using proportional hazards models.
RESULTS: During the mean follow-up of 7.6 years through December 1997, we documented 418 incidents of colon cancer and 211 of rectal cancer. Male ex- or current drinkers demonstrated a twofold risk for colon cancer compared with nondrinkers: the multivariate-adjusted IRR was 2.01 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.68) for ex-drinkers and 1.97 (95% CI: 1.28-3.03) for current drinkers. The doseresponse relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk, however, was not clear. Female exdrinkers were at an increased risk without statistical significance. For rectal cancer, we found a slightly lower risk in light current drinkers who consumed less than 22 g ethanol per day: the multivariate IRR was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.33-1.13) for men and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.27-1.74) for women. Although the IRR for all current drinkers was almost unity in men, an increasing trend in risk was detected with increasing alcohol consumption in current drinkers (trend p = 0.027).
CONCLUSIONS: Taking the findings from our study and other prospective investigations into consideration, more attention should be paid to alcohol consumption in the prevention of colon cancer in Japan.
J Epidemiol 2005; 15: S173-S179.

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© 2005 by Japan Epidemiological Association
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