> Esophageal cancer rates in the U.S. closely mirrored trends of increased carbohydrate intake and obesity from 1973-2001.
The headline is probably overstated.... there is a statistical
association here, not a cause and effect.
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http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/press/pressitem.asp?ref=1632
Study Details Link Between Obesity, Carbs and Esophageal Cancer
As Obesity and Carb-intake Rates Have Increased, So Has Specific Cancer
Cleveland, Ohio – February 25, 2008 – Cases of esophageal cancer
(adenocarcinoma) in the U.S. have risen in recent decades from 300,000
cases in 1973 to 2.1 million in 2001 at age-adjusted rates. A new study
published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology shows that these
rates in the U.S. closely mirrored trends of increased carbohydrate
intake and obesity from 1973-2001.
The study illustrates what may be a public heath concern as the
composition of U.S. diets changes and total carbohydrate and refined
carbohydrate intakes increase. Obesity is a risk factor for many types
of cancer, and a diet that includes a high percentage of calories from
refined carbohydrates is a common contributor to obesity. Carbohydrates
were also unique in that no other studied nutrients were found to
correlate with esophageal cancer rates.
The causes of esophageal cancer remain largely unknown. Despite recent
advances in treatment, esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis. The
five-year rate of survival for esophageal cancer remains below 20
percent and is the eighth-leading cause of cancer related death in
American men.
“If we can reverse the trends in refined carbohydrate intake and obesity
in the U.S., we may be able to reduce the incidence of esophageal
cancer,” says Dr. Li Li, senior author of the study.
_________________________________________________________________
This study is published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact
medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.
Dr. Li Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine
and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve
University/University Hospitals Health System. Dr. Li can be reached for
questions at
lxl62@cwru.edu.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology is the official publication of
the American College of Gastroenterology, and the #1 clinical journal in
gastroenterology. The journal brings a broad-based, interdisciplinary
approach to the study of gastroenterology, including articles reporting
on current observations, research results, methods of treatment, drugs,
epidemiology, and other topics relevant to clinical gastroenterology.
For more information, please visit
www.blackwellpublishing.com/ajg.
The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) was founded in 1932 to
advance the scientific study and medical practice of diseases of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The College promotes the highest standards
in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the
individual and collective needs of clinical GI practitioners. For more
information, please visit
www.acg.gi.org.
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Abstract and link to full text below, for those who have managed to read
this far.
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http://www.amjgastro.com/showContent.asp?DID=3&SessionGUID=3D4369F0-3B7F-46F4-921C-5402F4C35659&id=ajg_1613_onearly112007&type=abstract
Carbohydrate Consumption and Esophageal Cancer:An Ecological Assessment
Cheryl L. Thompson, Ph.D. 1,2, Vijay Khiani, M.D. 3, Amitabh Chak,
M.D. 3, Nathan A. Berger, M.D. 3, and Li Li, M.D., Ph.D. 1,2
Affiliations
1Departments of Family Medicine
2Epidemiology and Biostatistics
3Medicine, Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer
Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve
University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio
OBJECTIVES: The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is on the
rise in the United States. In this ecological study using the
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program (1973–2001)
and national food consumption data (1909–1997), we evaluated the
correlation between secular trends of dietary macronutrient intakes and
esophageal cancer rates.
METHODS: Linear regressions were performed to assess the
correlation between age-adjusted incidence rates of esophageal cancers
and nutrients.
RESULTS: The increase in esophageal adenocarcinoma was found to be
strongly correlated with the rise in carbohydrate intake (P < 0.0001).
The decline in squamous cell carcinoma rates was negatively correlated
with carbohydrate intake in the univariate model (P < 0.0001), but this
correlation disappeared when adjusted for other nutrients. Correlations
of esophageal adenocarcinoma to percentage of calories from corn syrup,
representing refined carbohydrates, were statistically significant in
the univariate model (P < 0.0001), but decreased in significance in the
multivariate model (P = 0.0118). We also found a significant correlation
between obesity and esophageal adenocarcinoma (P < 0.0001) during the
same time period.
CONCLUSION: Our ecological evaluation suggests that high
carbohydrate intake and obesity can account for at least some of the
rise in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Within-population studies are needed
to clarify these trends.
(Am J Gastroenterol 2007;102:1-7)
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