New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Obesity And Carbs Linked To Esophageal Cancer, Study Suggests

Date:
February 26, 2008
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Summary:
Cases of esophageal cancer 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.
Share:
FULL STORY

Cases of esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma) in the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 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 U.S., we may be able to reduce the incidence of esophageal cancer,” says Dr. Li Li, senior author of the study.

This study is published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. "Obesity And Carbs Linked To Esophageal Cancer, Study Suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 February 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225112604.htm>.
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. (2008, February 26). Obesity And Carbs Linked To Esophageal Cancer, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225112604.htm
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. "Obesity And Carbs Linked To Esophageal Cancer, Study Suggests." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225112604.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES