CHANGES IN DIET AND MORTALITY FROM SELECTED CANCERS IN SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES, 1960-1989

Mortality trends of breast, colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancer in Spain, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, and England and Wales are presented . Figures are discussed with regard to patterns of consumption of fat- containing foods in these countries. An increase of all cancer site mo rtality is shown in southern European countries, whereas in England an d Wales a decrease in ovarian and colorectal cancer among women is obs erved. Consumption of milk, meat and animal fat products increased in all Mediterranean countries but decreased in England and Wales. Some d ifferences regarding cancer mortality and food consumption patterns am ong southern European countries are pointed out. This markedly diverge nt fat consumption pattern between northern and southern Europe appear s to antedate and be associated with their substantial differences in ovarian and colorectal cancer mortality trends, and to a lesser extent with breast cancer.