ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DIET AND THE RISK OF ORAL-CANCER - A POOLED ANALYSIS OF 3 CASE-CONTROL STUDIES

This combined analysis of data from three large case-control studies o f oral cancer confirms the important effect of tobacco in the aetiolog y of the disease. The studies have been conducted in the United States , Italy and China and results for risks associated with tobacco smokin g were generally consistent across centres, while those for alcohol we re not; increased risks amongst alcohol drinkers were evident in two c entres but not in the study conducted in Turin, Italy. In addition, th e combined analysis had large enough numbers to analyse. The risk of t obacco consumption in non-drinkers. In females these showed increased risks while in males the effect of tobacco alone was weaker, Given the popularity of tobacco smoking, and its consequent high attributable r isk in terms of oral cancer it is reassuring, in terms of public healt h, that cessation will result in a substantial reduction in risk; a 30 % reduction in risk for those stopping smoking between 1 and 9 years, and a 50% reduction for those stopping more than 9 years. Although enc ouraging smokers to stop should be the principal aim, decreases in ris k for everyone could be achieved by encouraging high fruit and vegetab le consumption.