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Nutrition and esophageal cancer

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Epidemiologic evidence on the relation between nutrition and esophageal cancer is reviewed. Results from ecologic, case-control, cohort, and intervention studies are included. Most of the findings pertain more to squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The protective effect of fruit and vegetable consumption is supported by a large body of evidence, especially from case-control studies. The effects of food groups and nutrients other than fruits and vegetables also have been examined, but the overall evidence is less convincing. Recent intervention studies in high incidence areas in China indicate that micronutrient supplements may have a modest effect in reducing risk, but the generalizability of this result is uncertain. Hot drinks are likelyto increase the risk of esophageal cancer. On the other hand, the role of tea drinking, especially the use of green tea, remains to be defined better.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, The University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

    K. K. Cheng

  2. Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, UK

    N. E. Day (Professor)

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Cheng, K.K., Day, N.E. Nutrition and esophageal cancer. Cancer Causes Control 7, 33–40 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00115636

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