DIETARY-FAT INTAKE AND RISK OF LUNG-CANCER - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF 51,452 NORWEGIAN MEN AND WOMEN

The relationship between incidence of lung cancer and intake of dietar y fats, high-fat foods, fish, and fish products was studied in 25,956 men and 25,496 women aged 16-56 years attending Norwegian health scree ning between 1977 and 1983. Linkage to the Cancer Registry of Norway a nd the Central Bureau of Statistics of Norway ensured a complete follo w-up until 31 December 1991. Diet was recorded on a semiquantitative f ood-frequency questionnaire, and 153 cases of lung cancer were identif ied during followup. Mean age at diagnosis was 56 years. After adjusti ng for smoking status, gender, age at screening, and attained age, sig nificant lower risks were found for cod liver oil supplement (incidenc e rate ratio (IRR) = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-1.0) and for skim milk compared to whole milk (IRR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.9)). No association was foun d with dietary cholesterol and saturated fat. A threshold of increased risk starting at the second quartile was seen for mono-and polyunsatu rated fat. The potential protective effect of cod liver oil, a supplem ent rich in preformed vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, and monounsatura ted fat, has to our knowledge, not been reported before. Confounding f rom lifestyle is possible, but the result deserves further investigati on.