Transient caloric restriction and cancer risk (The Netherlands)Elias, Sjoerd; Peeters, Petra; Grobbee, Diederick; Noord, Paulus
doi: 10.1007/s10552-006-0080-0pmid: 17186418
Over the past century, many animal experiments have shown that caloric restriction can reduce the risk of cancer, a finding that proved to be highly reproducible. Many papers have been published on its potential for human health, but until know little evidence is available on its actual effects in humans. In Utrecht, The Netherlands, we have been investigating the effects of the 1944–1945 Dutch famine on breast cancer risk factors and breast cancer risk, and paradoxically the relatively short-term famine seemed to be related to increased breast cancer risk in later life. One of the differences between the famine situation and the large body of evidence from animal experiments is the duration of caloric restriction. Almost all animal experiments investigated sustained caloric restriction and information on the effects of short-term transient caloric restriction is very scarce. A search in the literature identified some animal experiments on short-term transient caloric restriction and these seemed to be at least supportive to the famine findings. Because caloric restriction in humans for preventive health measures would be mostly short-term, it is important to extend animal research on short-term caloric restriction.
Trace elements and cancer risk: a review of the epidemiologic evidenceSilvera, Stephanie; Rohan, Thomas
doi: 10.1007/s10552-006-0057-zpmid: 17186419
Worldwide, there are more than 10 million new cancer cases each year, and cancer is the cause of approximately 12% of all deaths. Given this, a large number of epidemiologic studies have been undertaken to identify potential risk factors for cancer, amongst which the association with trace elements has received considerable attention. Trace elements, such as selenium, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel, are found naturally in the environment, and human exposure derives from a variety of sources, including air, drinking water, and food. Trace elements are of particular interest given that the levels of exposure to them are potentially modifiable. In this review, we focus largely on the association between each of the trace elements noted above and risk of cancers of the lung, breast, colorectum, prostate, urinary bladder, and stomach. Overall, the evidence currently available appears to support an inverse association between selenium exposure and prostate cancer risk, and possibly also a reduction in risk with respect to lung cancer, although additional prospective studies are needed. There is also limited evidence for an inverse association between zinc and breast cancer, and again, prospective studies are needed to confirm this. Most studies have reported no association between selenium and risk of breast, colorectal, and stomach cancer, and between zinc and prostate cancer risk. There is compelling evidence in support of positive associations between arsenic and risk of both lung and bladder cancers, and between cadmium and lung cancer risk.
Serum organochlorines and breast cancer: a case–control study among African-American womenGatto, Nicole; Longnecker, Matthew; Press, Michael; Sullivan-Halley, Jane; McKean-Cowdin, Roberta; Bernstein, Leslie
doi: 10.1007/s10552-006-0070-2pmid: 17186420
This population-based case–control study of African-American women (355 breast cancer case patients, 327 controls) examined the association between breast cancer and circulating levels of PCBs and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE), a metabolite of DDT. Case patients were diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma and interviewed between June 1995 and July 1998, and control subjects were identified by random digit dialing methods. Serum levels of DDE and total PCBs were adjusted for total lipid content. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable unconditional logistic regression methods. Effect modification by tumor receptor status and cancer treatment was investigated. Breast cancer risk was not associated with increasing quintiles of lipid-adjusted PCBs or DDE (highest versus lowest quintile adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI) and breastfeeding for DDE: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = (0.61, 1.72), p-trend = 0.74; for PCBs: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = (0.63, 1.63), p-trend = 0.56). Risk did not differ by strata of BMI, breastfeeding, parity, menopausal status or tumor receptor status. This study, the largest study of African-American women to date, does not support a role of DDE and total PCBs in breast cancer risk at the levels measured.
Tools for health: the efficacy of a tailored intervention targeted for construction laborersSorensen, Glorian; Barbeau, Elizabeth; Stoddard, Anne; Hunt, Mary; Goldman, Roberta; Smith, Ann; Brennan, Angela; Wallace, Lorraine
doi: 10.1007/s10552-006-0076-9pmid: 17186421
A tailored intervention can be efficacious in promoting tobacco use cessation and increased fruit and vegetable consumption among construction laborers, a high-risk, mobile workforce.
Manganese superoxide dismutase polymorphism and risk of skin cancer (United States)Han, Jiali; Colditz, Graham; Hunter, David
doi: 10.1007/s10552-006-0079-6pmid: 17186424
Overall, there was no significant association between this polymorphism and the risk of each type of skin cancer. No significant interaction was observed between this polymorphism and sunburn history and constitutional susceptibility on skin cancer risk. For interactions between intakes of α-carotene and β-carotene and the MnSOD polymorphism on SCC, the inverse association of intake of either carotene with SCC risk was limited to the Val carriers, whereas no association was observed among women with the AA genotype. We observed an interaction between total vitamin C intake and the MnSOD polymorphism on melanoma risk. No interaction was observed for the intakes of other carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin A. Further research is needed to confirm these possible associations.