Dietary risk factors in gastrointestinal cancers: A case-control study in North India

One-third of all cancer deaths are preventable by alterations in diet.

A case control study was conducted in a Regional Cancer Center in North India to evaluate the relationship of diet with selected gastrointestinal cancers. A total of 171 cases, 151 hospital controls, and 167 healthy controls were interviewed using food frequency questionnaire. Data was analyzed using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and Chi-square test.

Two to three times increased risk of GI cancers was observed with hot and salted tea. Alcohol [OR 2.30 (1.32-4)] and smoking [OR (2.77 (1.77-4.33)] emerged as risk factors in healthy controls among whom freshly prepared food had significant protective effect [OR 0.57 (0.37-0.88)]. Sweet tea showed protective effect in hospital and healthy controls (OR 0.33 and 0.26, respectively). NSAIDS was associated with significantly higher risk of GI cancers. Consumption of dietary fibers decreased risk, which was significant for wheat and pulses but insignificant for rice. Vegetables and fruits showed significant protective effect ranging from 20 to 80% while intake of non-vegetarian foods showed significantly higher odds among controls (OR 2.37-13.4). Odds of GI cancer cases having consumed chutneys and pickles were significantly higher in comparison to healthy controls while consumption of dairy products showed protection. Low and medium intake of mixed spices inclusive of curcumin showed protection (OR 0.13 and 0.39, respectively) while intake of red chillies was associated with 2-30 times significantly higher odds.

We have been able to generate baseline evidence of association between diet and selected GI cancers to encourage prevention and further research.