Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer, Diet, Smoking, Alcohol, and Serum Vitamin A and ß-Carotene Levels: A Case-Control Study in Men

A case-control study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia. Forty-one men with histologically confirmed squamous cell oral or pharyngeal cancer were compared with 398 male community controls. A statistically significant increase in risk was found for alcohol (ethanol) consumption and for smoking, and there was a synergistic effect for these two exposures. Statistically significant protection was noted with increasing intake of dietary vitamin C, dietary ß-carotene, fruit, vegetables, and dietary fiber. The mean serum levels of ß-carotene and vitamin A were statistically significantly lower when the cases were compared with another set of 88 male controls of a similar age who were hospitalized for minor surgical operations. This study confirms a causal effect of smoking and alcohol and a protective role for a high dietary intake of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and, particularly, ß-carotene- and vitamin C-containing foods. (Nutr Cancer 20, 61–70, 1993).