Further reading Chang ET, HO Adami. The enigmatic epidemiology of nasophayrngeal carcinoma. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2006;15(10):1765-1777. |
EPI NEWS
Oct 15, 2006—Diets rich in fresh vegetables
may reduce nasophryngeal carcinoma (NPC)
risk, but eating preserved vegetables
appears to do just the opposite, say
researchers at Johns Hopkins University in
Baltimore (International Journal of Cancer
2006;119:1125-35).
The team conducted a meta-analysis of data
from 16 studies published between 1966 and
2004. When data was compared for groups
with the highest and lowest recorded dietary
levels of preserved vegetables, high intake
was associated with more than a doubling of
NPC risk.
In contrast, consumption of high levels of
fresh vegetables was found to be associated
with a 36 percent decrease in the risk of NPC.
NPC is a rare cancer, with a global age-
adjusted incidence rate of fewer than one
case per 100,000 people each year.
However, incidence is profoundly elevated in
some regions of the world—up to 30 cases
per 100,000 in Hong Kong, for example, and
among Cantonese residents in the
Guangdong Province of Southern China.
Rates are less dramatically elevated in Tai-
wan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Micronesia and
Guam.
Oct 15, 2006—Diets rich in fresh vegetables
may reduce nasophryngeal carcinoma (NPC)
risk, but eating preserved vegetables
appears to do just the opposite, say
researchers at Johns Hopkins University in
Baltimore (International Journal of Cancer
2006;119:1125-35).
The team conducted a meta-analysis of data
from 16 studies published between 1966 and
2004. When data was compared for groups
with the highest and lowest recorded dietary
levels of preserved vegetables, high intake
was associated with more than a doubling of
NPC risk.
In contrast, consumption of high levels of
fresh vegetables was found to be associated
with a 36 percent decrease in the risk of NPC.
NPC is a rare cancer, with a global age-
adjusted incidence rate of fewer than one
case per 100,000 people each year.
However, incidence is profoundly elevated in
some regions of the world—up to 30 cases
per 100,000 in Hong Kong, for example, and
among Cantonese residents in the
Guangdong Province of Southern China.
Rates are less dramatically elevated in Tai-
wan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Micronesia and
Guam.
Statistical details Pooled odds ratios High level vs low-level dietary preserved vegetables, NPC: OR 2.04, CI=1.43,2.92 Fresh vegetable intake, NPC: OR 0.64, CI=0.48,0.85 |
Salted fish consumption is an established
risk factor for NPC. The new findings
lend some credence to suspicions that
diets rich in preserved vegetables may
also contribute to NPC.
However, the authors are quick to point out
that the studies they pooled for analysis
were all small and that further research is
needed. "The nature of the evidence
does not justify drawing strong
inferences,” they report.
The study was funded by the
World Cancer Research Fund, US
National Institute of Aging, National
Cancer Institute, and National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences.
risk factor for NPC. The new findings
lend some credence to suspicions that
diets rich in preserved vegetables may
also contribute to NPC.
However, the authors are quick to point out
that the studies they pooled for analysis
were all small and that further research is
needed. "The nature of the evidence
does not justify drawing strong
inferences,” they report.
The study was funded by the
World Cancer Research Fund, US
National Institute of Aging, National
Cancer Institute, and National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences.
Do Preserved Vegetables Increase Nasopharyngeal Cancer Risk?