[The study of the relationship between diet and primary liver cancer]

Two dietary surveys were carried out in a high prevalence area of primary liver cancer (PLC) and a low PLC area in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China in 1987 and 1988 respectively. The results of these two surveys were similar and no statistical significant differences were observed. They showed that negative correlations between the mortality rates of PLC and the intake amount of rice, fruit, vegetable, energy, protein, crude fiber and ascorbic acid existed. However, between the mortality rates of PLC and the intake of corn, and peanut oil, positive correlations were noted. The aflatoxin content of corn, peanut and peanut oil was greater than that of rice, hence the possible relationship between aflatoxin and PLC. It suggested that diet and nutrients could affect PLC mortality rates.