Anthropometric and reproductive factors and risk of esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2020
Abstract
Obesity has been associated with upper gastrointestinal cancers; however, there are limited prospective data on associations by subtype/subsite. Obesity can impact hormonal factors, which have been hypothesized to play a role in these cancers. We investigated anthropometric and reproductive factors in relation to esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite for 476,160 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox models. During a mean follow-up of 14 years, 220 esophageal adenocarcinomas (EA), 195 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, 243 gastric cardia (GC) and 373 gastric noncardia (GNC) cancers were diagnosed. Body mass index (BMI) was associated with EA in men (BMI >= 30vs. 18.5-25 kg/m(2): HR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.25-3.03) and women (HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.15-6.19); however, adjustment for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) attenuated these associations. After mutual adjustment for BMI and HC, respectively, WHR and waist circumference (WC) were associated with EA in men (HR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.99-6.06 for WHR >0.96vs. <0.91; HR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.52-4.72 for WC >98vs. <90 cm) and women (HR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.35-14.33 for WHR >0.82vs. <0.76; HR = 5.67, 95% CI: 1.76-18.26 for WC >84vs. <74 cm). WHR was also positively associated with GC in women, and WC was positively associated with GC in men. Inverse associations were observed between parity and EA (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14-0.99; >2vs. 0) and age at first pregnancy and GNC (HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32-0.91; >26vs. <22 years); whereas bilateral ovariectomy was positively associated with GNC (HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.04-3.36). These findings support a role for hormonal pathways in upper gastrointestinal cancers.
Keywords
obesity, reproductive, hormones, esophageal, gastric, cancer
Divisions
Socialprevent,ummc
Funders
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) MR/M012190/1,Medical Research Council UK (MRC) MR/N003284/1
Publication Title
International Journal of Cancer
Volume
146
Issue
4
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Publisher Location
111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA