NITROSAMINE, NITRATE AND NITRITE IN RELATION TO GASTRIC-CANCER - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY IN MARSEILLES, FRANCE

A case-control study on gastric cancer and diet was conducted in Marse ille (France). Ninety-two patients with histologically confirmed adeno carcinoma and 128 controls undergoing functional reeducation for injur ies or trauma were interviewed by a trained dietician using a dietary history questionnaire on their usual diet during the year preceding th e first symptoms for cases, or preceding interview for controls. Intak e of nitrite, nitrate and pre-formed N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) fro m food was estimated using a food composition table compiled ad hoc. O dds ratios (ORs) were calculated after adjustment for age, sex, occupa tion and calorie intake. The results indicated that high intake of NDM A was associated with increased risk for gastric cancer. The ORs for t he second and third tertile of NDMA intake were: OR(2) = 4.13 (95% CI = 0.93 to 18.27) and OR(3) = 7.00 (95% CI = 1.85 to 26.46). Intake of nitrate and nitrite was not associated with increased risk of stomach cancer. Consumption of vegetables was protective in general and indepe ndent of their estimated nitrate content.