Cancer mortality trends in two cohorts of elderly people having different life-styles

We analyzed cancer mortality trends in 3282 elderly subjects from two gener al Italian populations with different life-style patterns taking part in th e Cardiovascular Study in the Elderly (CASTEL). The aim of the study was to evaluate which predictors were able to influence cancer mortality. Age, ge nder, tobacco smoking, the presence of respiratory symptoms, increased seru m levels of ALT and ALP, and the town of residence were powerful predictors . Subjects living in Chioggia (lour income, rural) had significantly greate r lung and liver cancer mortality, compared with those living in Castelfran co (industrial). The findings suggest that an incongruous life-style (smoki ng, alcohol consumption, poor hygienic conditions) may increase cancer mort ality despite the favorable environmental conditions typical of rural Medit erranean areas.