Gastric cancer and diet a pilot study on dietary habits in two districts differing markedly in respect of mortality from gastric cancer

Abstract

Enquiries were made into past dietary habits in two districts in Iceland differing markedly in respect of mortality from gastric cancer. The total consumption of smoked foods was of a similar order in both instances, but there was some difference in types, and singed food was more frequent in the area of the higher standardized mortality ratio-the northern district. Taking account of variability according to type and method of preparation the estimated amount of 3,4-benzopyrene obtainable from smoked and singed food was found to be much greater in the northern than in the southern district. Sources of vitamin C were more scarce in the northern district and salted food more common in the south. Further investigation would be required to establish whether the present findings of a relationship between gastric cancer and 3,4-benzopyrene derived from food, or low level intake of vitamin C, also holds true for other parts of Iceland. There is some evidence that the decline in mortality from gastric cancer in Iceland observed in recent years has been associated with diminished exposure to 3,4-benzopyrene in smoked and singed food for an increasing proportion of the population. © 1967, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.