Life-style and occupational risk factors in cancer of the lower urinary tract

In a matched case-control study of cancer of the lower urinary tract in northern Germany in which 340 male and 91 female case-control pairs were interviewed between 1977 and 1982, cigarette smokers were found to have an odds ratio of 2.3 for males and 2.9 for females compared with nonsmokers. A significant dose-response relation was observed for increasing cigarette consumption, and a significant decrease in risk was shown for ex-smokers. Employment in rubber, plastics, dye, textiles, and mining industries was associated with a higher risk, and increased odds ratios were also observed for exposure to spray painting, coal pitch, chromium, and zinc. Controlling for smoking, an elevated risk of 2.3 for drinking more than four cups of coffee per day and significant odds ratios of 2.1 and 2.8 for a daily consumption of 0.5-1.0 liter and above 1.0 liter of beer, respectively, were noted among men. A highly significant odds ratio of 4.0 was found for a daily fluid intake of more than 2 liters. Dietary habits such as the frequent consumption of canned food and fatty meals were associated with a higher risk, whereas a regular consumption of fruits and vegetables was associated with a lower risk. Fourteen determinants found to be important in this case-control series were analyzed by using multiple logistic regression.