[Stomach cancer mortality and life styles in Niigata Prefecture]

Niigata prefecture is featured by the extremely high mortality of stomach cancer ranking first in men and 6th in women among 47 prefectures in Japan. It is also featured by the highest consumption of rice. Daily salt consumption in Niigata is also higher by 2 grams than country average and by 5.8 grams than Okinawa, the area with the lowest stomach cancer mortality. The amount of consumption of rice and salt was observed significantly higher in households with 2 or more stomach cancer cases than the households with no case of stomach cancer among all food items studied. The stomach cancer mortality rates by health center districts were significantly associated with their salt/rice ratio, suggesting excess consumption of salt is the major risk factor of the disease rather than rice itself.