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Eating habits and risk of esophageal cancers: a population-based case–control study

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Abstract

Objective

Eating behaviors, such as the timing, speed of eating, and frequently consuming hot drinks, fried, spicy, or barbecued foods may be associated with increased risks of esophageal cancer. We analyzed data from a population-based case–control study to examine whether eating behaviors are associated with risk of esophageal cancer.

Methods

Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics, and a food frequency questionnaire was used to collect data on dietary behaviors from 1,472 control subjects, 286 cases with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, 320 cases with esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJAC), and 238 cases with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional multivariable adjusted logistic regression, adjusting for confounders.

Results

Frequency of hot drinks, home-fried foods, barbecued meats, spicy foods, and the timing of eating an evening meal were not associated with esophageal cancer risk. Those who frequently consumed fried ‘take-away’ food had increased risks of EGJAC (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.01–2.05; p value = 0.04). Eating speed was inversely associated with ESCC risk (p for trend = 0.001).

Conclusion

We found no evidence that consumption of hot drinks, barbecued meats, spicy foods, or the timing of the evening meal are associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer in this Australian population. Associations with consumption of fried ‘take-away’ foods and eating speed await confirmation in future studies.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Matt Filson Research Fund for the additional funding provided to support this project. The Australian Cancer Study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Program no.199600). DCW is supported by a Principal Research Fellowship from the NHMRC of Australia.

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors had a personal or financial conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer and Population Studies Group, Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, QLD, 4029, Australia

    Torukiri I. Ibiebele, Adele R. Taylor, David C. Whiteman & Jolieke C. van der Pols

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  1. Torukiri I. Ibiebele
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  2. Adele R. Taylor
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  3. David C. Whiteman
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  4. Jolieke C. van der Pols
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for the Australian Cancer Study

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Correspondence to Torukiri I. Ibiebele.

Appendix: The Australian Cancer Study Investigators

Appendix: The Australian Cancer Study Investigators

Investigators: David C. Whiteman MBBS, PhD, Penelope M. Webb MA, D Phil, Adele C. Green MBBS, PhD, Nicholas K. Hayward PhD, Peter G. Parsons PhD, David M. Purdie PhD.

Clinicalcollaborators: B. Mark Smithers FRACS, David Gotley FRACS PhD, Andrew Clouston FRACP PhD, Ian Brown FRACP.

ProjectManager: Suzanne Moore RN, MPH.

Database: Karen Harrap BIT, Troy Sadkowski BIT.

ResearchNurses: Suzanne O’Brien RN MPH, Ellen Minehan RN, Deborah Roffe RN, Sue O’Keefe RN, Suzanne Lipshut RN, Gabby Connor RN, Hayley Berry RN, Frances Walker RN, Teresa Barnes RN, Janine Thomas RN, Linda Terry RN MPH, Michael Connard B Sc, Leanne Bowes B Sc, MaryRose Malt RN, Jo White RN.

Clinical contributors

Australian Capital Territory: Charles Mosse FRACS, Noel Tait FRACS.

New South Wales: Chris Bambach FRACS, Andrew Biankan FRACS, Roy Brancatisano FRACS, Max Coleman FRACS, Michael Cox FRACS, Stephen Deane FRACS, Gregory L. Falk FRACS, James Gallagher FRACS, Mike Hollands FRACS, Tom Hugh FRACS, David Hunt FRACS, John Jorgensen FRACS, Christopher Martin FRACS, Mark Richardson FRACS, Garrett Smith FRACS, Ross Smith FRACS, David Storey FRACS.

Queensland: John Avramovic FRACS, John Croese FRACP, Justin D’Arcy FRACS, Stephen Fairley FRACP, John Hansen FRACS, John Masson FRACP, Les Nathanson FRACS, Barry O’Loughlin FRACS, Leigh Rutherford FRACS, Richard Turner FRACS, Morgan Windsor FRACS.

SouthAustralia: Justin Bessell FRACS, Peter Devitt FRACS, Glyn Jamieson FRACS, David Watson FRACS.

Victoria: Stephen Blamey FRACS, Alex Boussioutas FRACP, Richard Cade FRACS, Gary Crosthwaite FRACS, Ian Faragher FRACS, John Gribbin FRACS, Geoff Hebbard FRACP, George Kiroff FRACS, Bruce Mann FRACS, Bob Millar FRACS, Paul O’Brien FRACS, Robert Thomas FRACS, Simon Wood FRACS.

WesternAustralia: Steve Archer FRACS, Kingsley Faulkner FRACS, Jeff Hamdorf FRACS.

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Ibiebele, T.I., Taylor, A.R., Whiteman, D.C. et al. Eating habits and risk of esophageal cancers: a population-based case–control study. Cancer Causes Control 21, 1475–1484 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-010-9576-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-010-9576-8

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