Roliî of Tobacco and Alcoholic Beverages in the Etiology of Cancer of the Oral Cavity/Oropharynx in Torino, Italy1

A population-based case-control study of cancer of oral cavity-oropharynv was conducted in the city of Torino, Italy, between 1982 and 1984. One hundred twenty-two cases (86 males and 36 females) and 606 control«(385 males and 221 females) were compared with respect to lifelong alcohol and tobacco consumption. A 4to 6-fold increase in risk among subjects with medium or high tobacco consumption was observed, as well as a trend in increasing risk with duration and with earlier age at the start of smoking. Other findings included a sharp reduction in risk with cessation of smoking, no clear protective effect of usage of filter, no différer ces in risk according to color of tobacco, and a higher risk for cigar i'Ãr.vu.vpipe/cigarette smokers. An effect of alcoholic beverages was found in subjects with an average daily ci nsumption of 120 or more grams of alcohol, with a higher risk in beer drinkers. Among heavy consumers of alcohol and tobacco, risks of both oral and orophai yngeal cancer were very high. A positive association between oral cancer ¡ind low educational level, after adjustment for alcohol and tobacco, was found. Attributable risks for alcohol and tobacco in the population were 23% and 72% in men and 34% and 54% in women.