Comparative epidemiology of cancer between the united states and japan. A second look

Abstract

Vital statistics were examined for the years 1955 through 1985 for Japanese natives and United States whites to elucidate changes in cancer mortality and related antecedent patterns of lifestyle in these two populations. Results show that lung cancer rates are rapidly accelerating among Japanese males as a consequence of their prior history of heavy cigarette smoking. Oropharyngeal cancer rates are also rising in Japan paralleling increases in alcohol and tobacco utilization. As the Japanese lifestyle and diet continue to become more "westernized," the rates of malignancies of the breast, ovary, corpus uteri, prostate, pancreas, and colon also continue to rise. Nevertheless, the mortality patterns of certain malignancies, viz., laryngeal, esophageal, and urinary bladder cancer, are discrepant with their established risk factor associations, suggesting the existence of other differences in risk factor exposure between the two countries. Epidemiologists and health educators need to develop innovative international programs of investigation and health promotion with preventive impact on common malignancies associated with risk factors of lifestyle. Cancer 67:746-763, 1991. NCIDENCE AND MORTALITY rates for certain cancers I differ greatly between the US and Japan, as do diet, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption in the two populations. Since the vital statistics records maintained in both countries during the last several decades are comparable in scope and quality, examination of these records can provide valuable clues to the possible relationship between changes in national lifestyles and current shifts in cancer rates. In a 1977 report' we summarized trends and differences in US and Japanese cancer rates that have occurred in conjunction with differences in lifestyles. Since smoking,

Growth inhibition and apoptosis by (−)-epicatechin gallate are mediated by cyclin D1 suppression in head and neck squamous carcinoma cells

“…Subsequent epidemiological studies conducted on the effect of green tea intake on populations revealed that in China and Japan, where green tea consumption is high, incidence of breast, colon, and head and neck cancers was lower than those in Western nations. 19 Of the major catechins in green tea, EGCG shows a demonstrable chemopreventive activity and has been studied more often than other catechins. In a variety of animal models and organ systems, including the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, breasts, and the head and neck, EGCG inhibited the progression of cancer.…”

Increasing colorectal cancer incidence rates in Japan

“…However, Japanese rates have been increasing rapidly. [1][2][3] The increases may reflect lifestyle changes occurring in Japan since World War II, such as increased consumption of animal fat and meat, and decreased energy expenditure. These characteristics have been associated with increased colorectal cancer risk.…”

Neonatal Exposure to Genistein Reduces Expression of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and Androgen Receptor in Testes of Adult Mice.

“…On the other hand, many investigators have reported that the incidence of hormone-dependent tumors such as prostatic cancer is lower in people having high isoflavones (genistein, daizein, etc.) than in people who do not [13][14][15][16][17].…”