Cases of esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma)
in the US have risen in recent decades from 300,000
cases in 1973 to 2.1 million in 2001 at age-adjusted
rates. A new study shows that these rates in the US
closely mirrored trends of increased carbohydrate intake
and obesity from 1973-2001.
A new study illustrates
what may be a public heath concern as the composition
of US diets changes and total carbohydrate and refined carbohydrate intakes
increase. Obesity is a risk factor for many types of
cancer, and a diet that includes a
high percentage of calories from refined carbohydrates is a common contributor
to obesity. Carbohydrates were also unique in that no other studied nutrients
were found to correlate with esophageal cancer rates.
The causes of esophageal
cancer remain largely unknown. Despite recent advances
in treatment, esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis. The five-year rate
of survival for esophageal cancer remains below 20
percent and it is the eighth
leading cause
of cancer-related death in American men.
“If we can reverse the trends in refined carbohydrate intake and obesity
in the US, we may be able to reduce the incidence of esophageal cancer,” says
Dr. Li Li, senior author of the study.
Source: Thompson CL, Khiani V, Chak
A, Berger NA, Li L. Carbohydrate
consumption and esophageal cancer: an ecological
assessment. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Mar;103(3):555-61.
