Sausages do not Cause Cancer in Warsaw ..............

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Diet and Stomach Cancer Risk in Warsaw, Poland.

Lissowska J, Gail MH, Pee D, Groves FD, Sobin LH, Nasierowska-

Guttmejer A, Sygnowska E, Zatonski W, Blot WJ, Chow WH.

Some of the world's highest rates of stomach cancer are found in

Poland. Reasons for the increased incidence are not known, but high

intake of sausages and other preserved foods and low intake of fresh

fruits and vegetables may be involved. A case-control study

comprising residents newly diagnosed with stomach cancer during 1994-

96 and controls randomly selected from the general population was

conducted in Warsaw, Poland. Standardized interviews were conducted

to ascertain usual consumption of 118 common foods and beverages and

other exposures. Using data from direct interviews with 274 cases and

463 controls, odds ratios of stomach cancer were calculated as

estimates of risks associated with dietary factors, adjusting for

age, sex, education, smoking, and caloric intake. Risk of stomach

cancer was inversely related to intake of total fruits and dark green-

yellow vegetables and to indices of vitamins C and E and alpha- and

beta-carotenes. However, risk was not significantly increased among

those with high intake of pickled/salted vegetables and sausages.

Risks were positively associated with increased intake of

breads/cereals/rice/pasta and other refined grains, as well as a high

carbohydrate index. Our findings add to the evidence of a protective

effect of fruits and certain vegetables on stomach cancer risk, but

do not indicate that high intake of sausage and other preserved foods

typical in the Polish diet has contributed to the country's elevated

stomach cancer incidence. Our data also suggest that high

carbohydrate consumption may influence risk, but further confirmation

is needed.