Dietary habits: a risk or protective factor for cancer of the mouth and oropharynx in Goias, Brazil?

ABSTRACT

In developed countries, oral cancer is the eightieth most common cancer type, whereas in the developing world it is the fourth most common type of the disease. Known risk factors for oral cancer are smoking, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, poorly-fitting dentures. This study analyzed sociodemographic and dietary factors as risk factors for cancer of the mouth and oropharynx. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was carried out from November 1998 to June 2003. The cases were patients with a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and oropharynx at the Araujo Jorge Hospital in Goiania, Goias, Brazil. Controls were selected in two public general hospitals of Goiania with no oncologic departments. Results: The study consisted of 200 cases (41.8%) and 279 controls (58.2%). Multivariate analysis, adjusted for smoking, alcohol consumption and place of residence, showed that fish, fresh tomatoes, citric fruit, apples and pears consumption was a protective factor, while cakes and desserts remain as independent risk factors. Conclusions: Dietary habits are important in the prevention of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Healthy dietary habits should be stimulated through educational campaigns, the objective of which should also be to combat alcohol and tobacco consumption.