NUTRITION AND OTHER RISK-FACTORS FOR RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Among 35,192 postmenopausal, predominantly white women in Iowa age 55- 69 years and free of cancer, we collected baseline history, dietary in formation, and anthropometric data by mail in 1986. We ascertained the 8-year incidence (62 new cases) of renal cell carcinoma using the Iow a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) register, the Nat ional Death Index, and mail follow up. Risk factors for renal cell car cinoma included increasing age, increasing weight (either current, max imum adult weight, or weight at ages 18, 30, or 50 years), greater wai st-to-hip ratio, and a history of blood transfusion. Total dietary cal cium was associated independently with a reduced risk of renal cell ca rcinoma. No other dietary micro or macronutrients or food groups were predictive of the development of renal cell carcinoma. Other previousl y identified risk factors were not confirmed: most notably, there was no increased risk from a history of hypertension, after adjustment for diuretic use. History of ever-use of diuretics was associated with a twofold increased risk of renal cancer, although the strength of assoc iation was markedly reduced after adjustment for age, weight, waist-to -hip ratio, and calcium intake.