Risk factors for esophageal cancer in non-smokers and non-drinkers: a case-control study in Uruguay

Abstract

In order to analyze possible associations of lifestyle factors with esophageal cancer among non-smokers and non-drinkers, the authors carried out the present study. Special emphasis was placed on the analysis of "mate" (infusion of the herb Ilex paraguariensis) drinking, which has been associated with most cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract. The study was conducted at the Instituto Nacional de Oncología in Montevideo, Uruguay. Data corresponded to 73 esophageal cancer cases and 219 controls. A detailed questionnaire included sections on sociodemographic variables, occupation, family history of cancer, "mate" drinking, and a restricted list of dietary items including: red meat, processed meat, salted meat, barbecue, milk, fresh vegetables and fruits. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for major potential confounders, including age, sex, education, urban/rural status and region of birth. Moderate increases in risk were observed for: daily "mate" consumption (OR=2.2), age of quitting (OR=2.02), duration (OR=2.49) and intensity (OR=1.91), most of which were statistically significant. Consequently, our report demonstrates a particular role for "mate" consumption on esophageal cancer in Uruguay, regardless of other well-known risk factors.

Exploratory Factor Analysis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus in Uruguay

“…This pattern is associated with a low educational level, rural residence out of the capital city, and having a birthplace located mainly at northern counties as it is shown in Table 3. Moreover, these facts were already described in a previous study on esophageal cancer in nondrinkers and nonsmokers (47). Concerning the drinker pattern, high loadings of barbecued fried meat, processed meat, and fried eggs suggest similarities with the Western pattern extracted by the Swedish authors (26).…”

“…This appears to be somewhat paradoxical. A previous study on lung cancer among never smokers reported the protective effect of cheese (47). In our study, this food item loads highly in the high-fat pattern.…”

Cancer and yerba mate consumption: a review of possible associations

“…Of the series of studies conducted in Uruguay (5,7,(9)(10)(11), it is interesting to single out the one based on data of esophagus cancer patients who were not smokers or consumers of alcohol, thus excluding the two most important confounding factors: tobacco and alcohol consumption (11). The authors described a model where daily consumption (OR 2.20, 95%CI: 1.02-4.91, for 1 L or more Uruguay, Montevideo (1993)(1994)(1995) Brazil, Campinas (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995) Cuba, Villa Clara (1995)(1996)(1997) Argentina, Bahia Blanca (1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997) Costa Rica (1995Rica ( -1996 Ecuador, Quito (1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.…”

“…The need for additional studies on a greater number of healthy individuals to validate these findings was suggested, but no such further studies have been published to date. In Argentina, a hospital-based casecontrol study was conducted by Castelletto et al (8), using a design similar to those used in Uruguay and Brazil (6,7,11). This study found an increased risk associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption, but not with mate drinking in general.…”

Mate Intake and Risk of Breast Cancer in Uruguay: a Case-Control Study

“…local studies about 'mate' (a hot infusion made from the herb ilex paraguariensis, which is a staple nonalcoholic beverage in temperate South America) and its role on cancer were mainly focused on the upper aerodigestive sites (Vassallo et al, 1985;De Stefani et al, 1988;1990;Castellague et al, 2000;Sewram et al, 2003;Ronco et al, 2004;Deneo-Pellegrini et al, 2013;Lubin et al, 2014), usually showing positive associations with these tumors.…”