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Using data of a case-control study conducted in Italy between 1992 and 1996 on 1225 cases of colon cancer and 4154 controls, we have evaluated the effect of selected established risk factors in subjects with, and in those without, familial propensity (134 cases, 146 controls); there were non-significant associations between education and meal frequency and colon cancer risk. Physical activity, high energy and low vegetable intake were significantly related to colon cancer risk in subjects without familial predisposition, but showed no relationship in those with family history of colorectal cancer: the ORs were 1.1 for the lowest level of physical activity, 0.7 for the highest tertile of energy intake, and 1.0 for the lowest one of vegetable intake. These findings would suggest that genetic predisposition can make the influence of environmental factors for defining the risk of colon cancer weak and/or difficult to estimate.
While thyroid cancer incidence has globally increased over the last few decades, mortality has been steadily declining. This is essentially due to increased diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer, due to the widespread use of ultrasound scan. Thyroid cancer is one of the few neoplasms more common in women than in men. Familial and genetic factors account for 5% to 15% of papillary or follicular neoplasms, and the association is even stronger for medullary carcinomas. Thyroid cancer risk is strongly related to benign thyroid diseases, particularly nodules and adenomas and goiter. The other major recognized risk factor is ionizing radiation, in particular iodine 131. Aspects of diet related to thyroid cancer risk include iodine deficiency—particularly for follicular thyroid cancer. However, fish and cruciferous vegetables are not consistently related to thyroid cancer risk. Tobacco and alcohol do not materially influence thyroid cancer risk, whereas overweight/obesity and adult height might increase risk.
For our young colleagues, the relevance of this book is justified by its reference lists alone, as these include most of the papers that provided the most important achievements of epidemiology and public health from 1919 onwards. The book is easy to consult and read, because for each calendar period the main topics are separately considered—that is, infectious diseases, occupational factors, nutrition, environment, etc. Thus, for instance, under the headings tobacco or air pollution, …
The current study suggests that, aside from the predictable adverse effects of overeating and consequent overweight, some qualitative aspects of the habitual diet may also be associated with the risk of endometrial cancer, chiefly, the intake of animal proteins and fat (directly) and of fresh fruit, vegetables, and fibers (inversely).