Eating habits and risk of esophageal cancers: a population-based case-control study

Eating behaviors, such as the timing, speed of eating, and frequently consuming hot drinks, fried, spicy, or barbecued foods may be associated with increased risks of esophageal cancer. We analyzed data from a population-based case-control study to examine whether eating behaviors are associated with risk of esophageal cancer.

Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics, and a food frequency questionnaire was used to collect data on dietary behaviors from 1,472 control subjects, 286 cases with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, 320 cases with esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJAC), and 238 cases with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional multivariable adjusted logistic regression, adjusting for confounders.

Frequency of hot drinks, home-fried foods, barbecued meats, spicy foods, and the timing of eating an evening meal were not associated with esophageal cancer risk. Those who frequently consumed fried 'take-away' food had increased risks of EGJAC (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.01-2.05; p value = 0.04). Eating speed was inversely associated with ESCC risk (p for trend = 0.001).

We found no evidence that consumption of hot drinks, barbecued meats, spicy foods, or the timing of the evening meal are associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer in this Australian population. Associations with consumption of fried 'take-away' foods and eating speed await confirmation in future studies.