Other news for: Alcoholism Neoplasms Smoking Cessation Resources from HONselect Smoking, Drinking Raise Risks of Esophagus, Stomach Cancer Certain of these tumors are rising in incidence, experts note By Robert Preidt MONDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking and drinking are associated with three esophageal and stomach cancer subtypes, say Dutch researchers who conducted a long-term study of almost 121,000 people. The study focused on: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which resembles head and neck cancer; esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), typically found in the lower esophagus; and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA), a cancer that occurs in the area of the upper stomach where it joins the esophagus. After 16 years, there had been 120 ESCC cases, 168 EAC cases and 187 GCA cases among the study participants. The researchers identified a dose relationship between alcohol and ESCC. A person who drank four glasses of alcohol per day was five times more likely to develop ESCC than a person who didn't drink. Former and current smoking was also associated with an increased risk of all three types of cancers. Current smokers had the highest risk while former smokers had an intermediate risk compared with people who'd never smoked. The findings, to be presented Monday at the American Academy of Cancer Research's annual cancer prevention conference, in Washington, D.C., confirm risk factors previously associated with these cancers. But they don't explain the rise in these types of cancers, particularly EAC and GCA, researchers said. "The results of this study again confirm recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, namely not to smoke and to drink alcohol in moderation. But it also suggests that there must be other risk factors for EAC and GCA," study author Jessie Steevens, of the epidemiology department at Maastricht University, said in an American Association for Cancer Research news release. "Other factors that might be associated with the risk of these cancers include obesity, diet and nutrition, exercise, occupational exposures, medical factors and so forth, which we are beginning to study," she said. More information The American Cancer Society has more about esophageal cancer . SOURCE: American Association for Cancer Research, news release, Nov. 17, 2008 Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC . All rights reserved.URL:http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?id=621310 Resources from HONselect: HONselect is the HON's medical search engine. It retrieves scientific articles, images, conferences and web sites on the selected subject. The list of medical terms above are retrieved automatically from the article. Disclaimer: The text presented on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is for your information only and may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not hesitate to consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Be advised that HealthDay articles are derived from various sources and may not reflect your own country regulations. The Health On the Net Foundation does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in HealthDay articles.

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