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01-12-2010 | Original paper

The aetiology of upper aerodigestive tract cancers among young adults in Europe: the ARCAGE study

Authors: Tatiana V. Macfarlane, Gary J. Macfarlane, Richard J. Oliver, Simone Benhamou, Christine Bouchardy, Wolfgang Ahrens, Hermann Pohlabeln, Pagona Lagiou, Areti Lagiou, Xavier Castellsague, Antonio Agudo, Franco Merletti, Lorenzo Richiardi, Kristina Kjaerheim, Alena Slamova, Miriam Schejbalova, Cristina Canova, Lorenzo Simonato, Renato Talamini, Luigi Barzan, David I. Conway, Patricia A. McKinney, Ariana Znaor, Raymond J. Lowry, Peter Thomson, Claire M. Healy, Bernard E. McCartan, Manuela Marron, Mia Hashibe, Paul Brennan

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 12/2010

Abstract

Background

The incidence of cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) is increasing throughout the world. To date the increases have been proportionally greatest among young people. Several reports have suggested that they often do not have a history of tobacco smoking or heavy alcohol consumption.

Objective

To determine the contribution of lifestyle factors to the etiology of UADT cancers occurring in those aged less than 50 years.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted in 10 European countries. Cases were cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, larynx and esophagus, and hospital or population controls were age and sex matched.

Results

There were 356 cases younger than 50 years and 419 controls. Risk was strongly related to current smoking [odds ratio (OR) 5.5 95%; confidence interval (CI) (3.3, 9.2)], and risk increased with number of pack-years smoked. Risk was also related to alcohol consumption for both current (OR 1.8; 0.97, 3.3) and past (OR 3.4; 1.6, 7.4) drinkers, and risk increased with number of drink-years. Persons frequently consuming fruits and vegetables were at significantly reduced risk.

Conclusions

Risk factors already identified as being important for UADT cancers in adults are also important influences on risk in younger adults. The implication of these results is that the public health message in preventing UADT cancers remains the same to young and old alike.

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Title: The aetiology of upper aerodigestive tract cancers among young adults in Europe: the ARCAGE study
Authors: Tatiana V. Macfarlane
Gary J. Macfarlane
Richard J. Oliver
Simone Benhamou
Christine Bouchardy
Wolfgang Ahrens
Hermann Pohlabeln
Pagona Lagiou
Areti Lagiou
Xavier Castellsague
Antonio Agudo
Franco Merletti
Lorenzo Richiardi
Kristina Kjaerheim
Alena Slamova
Miriam Schejbalova
Cristina Canova
Lorenzo Simonato
Renato Talamini
Luigi Barzan
David I. Conway
Patricia A. McKinney
Ariana Znaor
Raymond J. Lowry
Peter Thomson
Claire M. Healy
Bernard E. McCartan
Manuela Marron
Mia Hashibe
Paul Brennan
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 12/2010
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-010-9641-3

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Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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