Characterization of meat consumption and risk of colorectal cancer in Cordoba, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The Argentinean food pattern, rich in beef and fats and poor in fibers, may be related to an risk of increased colorectal cancer (CRC). To examine the relation between CRC risk and meat type, we carried out a case-control study in Córdoba, Argentina. METHODS: We interviewed 287 patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas and 566 control subjects admitted to the largest hospitals in greater Córdoba. Dietary habits were assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire, and different meat types were evaluated. Regression analyses determined the contribution of meat to total energy and macronutrients. Unconditional multiple logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Median intake of all meats, predominantly bovine, was high, reaching almost 300 g/d in men. Meats provided approximately 50% of total energy intake and 64% to 67% of total protein. Patients obtained significantly more cholesterol and total lipids from meats than did controls. Consumption of total meat, red meat, and other types of meat were not related to increased risk of CRC. However, an increased risk of CRC was found for those consuming relatively large amounts of cold cuts and sausages (OR, 1.47; CI, 1.02-2.15) and bovine viscera (OR, 1.73; CI, 1.18-2.54). Lean beef was associated with a decreased risk of CRC at the second (OR, 0.64; CI, 0.43-0.94) and third (OR, 0.67; CI, 0.40-0.97) tertiles. CONCLUSIONS: Red meat produced a different pattern of risk according to its fat content. Further studies should assess the possible role of cooking meat and other non-nutritional components.

Meat cooking habits and risk of colorectal cancer in Córdoba, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is the third cause of death among women and the fifth among men in Córdoba, Argentina. We previously reported colorectal cancer to be associated with a high intake of fatty meats and bovine viscera and inversely associated with dietary fiber intake. In this study, we investigated the role of method of cooking meat and preferences in browned surfaces in the risk of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A case-control retrospective study was carried out by interviewing 296 patients and 597 control subjects with a food-frequency questionnaire. Meat consumption and preferred cooking procedures (boiled, roasted, barbecued, cooked in a flat iron-pan without fat, and fried) were investigated. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained by unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Barbecuing was the cooking method preferred by men, whereas iron-pan cooking was favored by women; frying was the least favored method. Fatty beef, sausages, and bovine viscera were preferentially barbecued or boiled, whereas lean beef was mainly roasted, iron-pan cooked, or fried. Chicken was barbecued or roasted. The multivariate relative risks (adjusted by age, sex, social stratum, and total energy intake) for preferring darkly browned surfaces were significantly associated with an increased risk for all cooking procedures (odds ratio, 4.57; 95% confidence interval, 3.10 to 6.73). No associations were found for red roasted or for boiled meats. CONCLUSION: Increased risk seems to be related to cooking temperature and close contact of the food to the heating source, because higher risks were observed for heavily browned surfaces when meats were barbecued or iron-pan cooked.

Cancer incidence pattern in Cordoba, Argentina.

Cancer is the second cause of death in Argentina; nevertheless the distribution of the cancer incidence rates throughout the country is unknown. This study was conducted to describe cancer incidence patterns in Córdoba Province. Incidence data were supplied by the Government Córdoba Cancer Registry. Demographic information (age, sex, and place of residence) and diagnosis, certified by a pathologist, about all incident cases from June 2003 to May 2005 by type and 5-year age groups were obtained. Comparison of the incidence rate of cancer in various counties was performed by using standardized incidence rates (SIR) per 100,000 inhabitants using the world standard population. Estimated SIRs were used to build up incidence maps. Two indicators were created: sex ratio and site-specific ratio. Mixed Poisson models were fitted. Taken as a whole for all counties, SIR was 121.42 and 141.57 for men and women, respectively. The most common sites in men were prostate (13.62), lung (10.12), colon (7.53), and bladder (7.03); in women were breast (22.51) and colon (3.31). The highest and lowest rates were in urban and rural areas, respectively. Cancer registry has a pivotal role in cancer control. Such information is the primary resource of information not only for epidemiological research on cancer determinants but also for planning and evaluating health services for the policies of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.