Non-occupational risk factors for cancer of the lower urinary tract in Germany

In a hospital-based case-control study conducted between 1989 and 1992 in H essen (West-Germany) 300 cases (239 male and 61 female) of histologically c onfirmed cancer of the lower urinary tract (LUT) were individually matched to controls from the same hospitals with respect to sex, age and area of re sidence. Smoking of cigarettes was associated with an elevated risk of 2.80 in males (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.65-4.76) and 5.33 (95% CI: 1.55- 18.33) in females, as compared with non-smokers. Variables like daily amoun t of smoked cigarettes, duration of smoking, age at beginning of cigarette smoking and time since smoking cessation showed a clear dose- and time-resp onse relationship in males, but not in females. Elevated risks were observe d for higher consumption of coffee, beer and wine, but - especially for the consumption of coffee - were drastically reduced after adjustment for smok ing. A weak association was found between the daily fluid intake and bladde r cancer in males. Among females a significantly decreased odds ratio (OR) of 0.34 (95% CI: 0.11-0.99) was found for a daily fluid intake of more than two liters. Protective effects and risk reductions of approximately 50% we re found for the regular intake of raw carrots, kale, salads and fruits. Th e findings of this investigation support an association between lifestyle f actors and cancer of the lower urinary tract.