[Ecological study on cancer mortality and lifestyle in Japan]

Cancer mortality varies even in the uni-racial population of Japan. Age-adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer in the highest prefecture is almost three times higher than the lowest. A cross-sectional study in five populations in Japan is being conducted in order to clarify the relationship between cancer mortality and lifestyle risk factors using some biochemical markers, i.e. nutrients (vitamins, trace minerals, lipids), hormones, etc. Each area has approximately population 100,000 and a total of 170 randomly selected males aged 40 to 49 are included. Wives of selected men are also included. Blood and urine sampling will also be done, with an interview and medical examination. Survey in Iwate and Okinawa prefectures has been completed in 1990 which will be extended to Nagano and Akita prefectures in 1990 and Tokyo metropolitan in 1991.