Smoking, Alcohol Drinking and Esophageal Cancer: Findings from the JACC Study

  • Sakata Kiyomi
    Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine.
  • Hoshiyama Yoshiharu
    University of Human Arts and Sciences.
  • Morioka Seiji
    Department of Public Health, Wakayama Medical University.
  • Hashimoto Tsutomu
    Department of Public Health, Wakayama Medical University.
  • Takeshita Tatsuya
    Department of Public Health, Wakayama Medical University.
  • Tamakoshi Akiko
    Department of Preventive Medicine/ Biostatistics and Medical Decision Making, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine.

Search this article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Using a large-scale cohort of about 110,000 people established in 45 areas throughout Japan from 1988 through 1990, the study attempted to uncover the joint effects of combined smoking and alcohol intake on esophageal cancer mortality.<br>METHODS: A cohort established from 1988 through 1990 included 46,465 men and 64,327 women aged 40 years and older and younger than 80. The number of female smokers and drinkers was low, and women were excluded from the analysis for that reason. In addition, 308 people with histories of malignant neoplasm, and 3,579 with unclear smoking and drinking data were also excluded, resulting in 42,578 people available for analysis. A follow-up of these individuals was conducted until 1999. Cox proportional hazards model was used for the analysis.<br>RESULTS: The joint effects of number of cigarettes and amount of alcohol consumed per day were compared with non-smokers and non-drinkers or those consuming less than one unit of alcohol per day. An increased synergistic esophageal cancer mortality risk (3.88) for both smoking and drinking was observed for those smoking 20 cigarettes or less per day and drinking one unit of alcohol or more but less than three units per day, with the risk rising (6.30) for those smoking at least 21 cigarettes and drinking at least three units of alcohol per day. Even in non-smokers with increased alcohol consumption, and in non-drinkers or those drinking at most one drink per day with increased smoking, no increased risk was observed.<br>CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort study of a Japanese population, increased esophageal cancer mortality risk was observed only when both factors of alcohol and tobacco intake were present simultaneously.<br>J Epidemiol 2005;15:S212-S219.

Journal

  • Journal of Epidemiology

    Journal of Epidemiology 15 (Supplement_II), S212-S219, 2005

    Japan Epidemiological Association

Citations (10)*help

See more

References(24)*help

See more

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top