(08-06-10) Mediterranean diet and upper aerodigestive tract cancer: the Greek segment of the Alcohol-Related Cancers and Genetic Susceptibility

Samoli E, Lagiou A, Nikolopoulos E, Lagogiannis G, Barbouni A, Lefantzis D, Trichopoulos D, Brennan P, Lagiou P.

Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of
Athens Medical School, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Goudi, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece.

Abstract
Several dietary factors have been associated with the occurrence of cancers of
the oral cavity and oropharynx, larynx and oesophagus, collectively called
upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers, but the evidence is considered as
inconclusive. We hypothesised that the traditional Mediterranean dietary
pattern may be more strongly inversely associated with UADT cancer risk than
individual dietary components, and may explain the unexpectedly low incidence
of these cancers in Greece. In the context of the European alcohol-related
cancers and genetic susceptibility in Europe project, we have conducted a
hospital-based case-control study in Athens, Greece, comparing 239 incident
UADT cases and 194 hospital controls with admission diagnoses unrelated to
tobacco, alcohol or diet. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was assessed through
a widely used score, which ranges from 0 (minimal adherence) to 9 (maximal
adherence) and increases with high consumption of plant foods and olive oil and
low consumption of meat, dairy products and saturated lipids. Stricter
adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a substantial and
significant decrease in UADT cancer risk (30 % for a two-unit increase in
score), whereas after mutual adjustment, no individual dietary component of
this diet was significantly associated with this risk. Adherence to the
traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risk of UADT cancers,
and may explain the lower incidence of UADT cancers in Greece, in spite of the
smoking and drinking habits of this population.

Source:Br J Nutr. 2010 May 26:1-6. [Epub ahead of print]

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