Abstract
Geographical correlations between standardized, mortality ratios (SMRs) of cancers and consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages (saké synthetic saké, shochu, beer, wine, and whisky), of cigarettes, and urbanization were examined for all 46 prefectures in Japan. Suggestive correlations were observed between cancer of the oesophagus in males and both shochu and whisky (r = 0.27 and 0.22 respectively), between cancer of the rectum in males and wine (r = 0.45), and between cancer of the prostate and shochu (r = 0.50). These correlations were also confirmed in the partial correlations between SMRs of cancers and consumption of alcoholic beverages, controlling for the two variables urbanization and consumption of cigarettes. Alhtough cancers of other sites were also correlated with certain types of alcoholic beverages, their associations seemed to be secondary to other factors. The validity of higher-order partial correlations and the problems of correlation study are also referred to.
Highlights
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES have been reviewed as a risk factor in the development of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, and oesophagus
The present study examined the geographical correlation between cancer mortality of different sites and consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages in Japan, in order to find any clues for distinguishing the causes of cancer, as well as to confirm the reported hypotheses
Per capita average annual consumption of alcoholic beverage by type and by prefecture was calculated from the taxed sales for the 3 years from April 1964 to March 1967 (National Tax Administration Agency, 1966, 1967, 1968) and the census population at age of 20 or more in 1965 (Bureau of Statistics, Office of the Prime Minister, 1967)
Summary
From the Departmnent of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812, Japan. Summary.-Geographical correlations between standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of cancers and consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages (sake synthetic sake', shochu, beer, wine, and whisky), of cigarettes, and urbanization were examined for all 46 prefectures in Japen. Suggestive correlations were observed between cancer of the oesophagus in males and both shochu and whisky (r=0 27 and 022 respectively), between cancer of the rectum in males and wine (r=0.45), and between cancer of the prostate and shochu (r=0*50) These correlations were confirmed in the partial correlations between SMRs of cancers and consumption of alcoholic beverages, controlling for the two variables urbanization and consumption of cigarettes. The present study examined the geographical correlation between cancer mortality of different sites and consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages in Japan, in order to find any clues for distinguishing the causes of cancer, as well as to confirm the reported hypotheses
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