Regional nutritional pattern and cancer mortality in the Federal Republic of Germany

Regional age-adjusted mortality rates of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1976 to 1980 were correlated with regional nutritional data from a national survey on income and consumption. This survey was conducted in 1973 and covered a sample of 50,000 households. The mortality rates due to carcinomas of the stomach, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, breast, and prostate and the consumption data of 15 nutrients and other compounds are shown for the 11 Federal States. For alcohol, vitamin C and calcium variations range about 20%, whereas deviations in the consumption of protein, fat, and most carbohydrates appear of minor importance. Some of the 45 correlation coefficients significant at the 5% level (out of 210) may have etiologic importance. The associations that coincide in both sexes are alcohol and disaccharide consumption with stomach cancer and protein intake with pancreatic cancer. Because previous habits and consumption may have a stronger etiologic influence than do present ones in the induction of chronic diseases, the utilization of existing information from the 1930s (e.g., Atlas of Ethnic Studies) and the assessment of habits in previous decades by means of case-control studies are emphasized.