Occupational variations in mortality from gastric cancer in relation to dietary differences

Abstract

Comparison was made of the proportion of all deaths in males in Iceland attributed to gastric cancer in different occupational groups. The study was based on data obtained directly from death certificates over the period 1951-60. The percentage frequencies thus arrived at for stomach cancer deaths showed marked differences, ranging in descending order (at ages 35-64) from 25*0 for farmers-through 19-0 and 15*5 respectively for labourers and seamen-to 9*9 for craftsmen and 8.4 for white collar workers. The comparability was not materially reduced by variations in frequency of other major causes. The occupational variations in mortality from stomach cancer were found relatable to dietary habits in a similar way to the rural-urban differences. More specifically, the results appear to offer supporting evidence of a relationship between gastric cancer and consumption of home smoked and singed foods-the main sources of 3,4-benzopyrene and other polycylic hydrocarbons in the Icelandic diet. This investigation was supported by U.S. Public Health Service grant CA-06188 from the National Cancer Institute to Professor N. Dungal, Iceland Cancer Society. © 1967, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.