[Nutritional profile of patients with cancer of the pancreas]

A case control study was carried out in the Geneva area from 1976 to 1980 to determine correlation between cancer of the pancreas and nutrition. The controls were randomly selected from the general population and 88 patients with pancreatic cancer were interviewed on their food habits by two experienced dietitians. Bias may always be suggested, but even Anglo-Saxon workers are increasingly adopting this method. Comparison between patients with pancreatic cancer and controls revealed different alimentary habits. Consumption of beer (2.9 times higher risk), of butter (2.1 times) and pasta (2.5 times) considerably increases the risk, whereas margarine, fruit and fresh vegetables are associated with a significant reduction of risk.