COFFEE, TEA, TOBACCO, AND CANCER OF THE LARGE-BOWEL

The impact of tobacco use and coffee and tea intake on the risk of col orectal cancer is unclear. Previous research has suggested that coffee may be protective against these cancers, and investigation regarding tea or cigarette smoking has yielded inconsistent results. To clarify these issues, we evaluated coffee and tea intake and tobacco smoking a s risk factors for cancer of the colon and rectum in a population-base d case-control study from Stockholm, Sweden. Cases were ascertained fr om the regional cancer registry, and controls identified through popul ation registers. Subjects completed a questionnaire requesting informa tion regarding foods and beverages consumed, exercise, tobacco use, an d personal characteristics. Logistic regression modelling was used to compute odds ratios. A total of 352 cases of colon cancer, 217 cases o f rectal cancer, and 512 controls took part. High coffee intake was ne gatively associated with the risk of colon cancer: the odds ratio for those drinking 6 or more cups per day was 0.55 (95% confidence interva l, 0.31-0.96) compared to those drinking one or fewer. There was no as sociation with rectal cancer. For tea, the associations were the oppos ite: there was no association with colon cancer risk, but the odds rat io for rectal cancer was 0.56 (95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.90) for those drinking 2 or move cups per day compared with those drinking no ne. Smokers of 11 or more cigarettes per day had a 20 to 30% reduction in the risk of colon and rectal cancer, but these findings were consi stent with chance. There was no association of long-term cigarette smo king with risk.