Africa’s Oesophageal Cancer Corridor: Geographic Variations in Incidence Correlate with Certain Micronutrient Deficiencies

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 10; no. 10; p. e0140107
• Main Authors: Schaafsma, Torin, Wakefield, Jon, Hanisch, Rachel, Bray, Freddie, Schüz, Joachim, Joy, Edward J. M., Watts, Michael J., McCormack, Valerie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 08.10.2015; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Africa - epidemiology; Alcohol; Alcohol use; Alcoholic beverages; Analysis; Bayesian analysis; Biomarkers; Calcium; Cancer; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - epidemiology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - etiology; Copper; Corn; Demographic aspects; Diet; Diet therapy; Ear; Ecological monitoring; Ecological studies; Energy intake; Esophageal cancer; Esophageal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Esophageal Neoplasms - etiology; Esophagus; Female; Food; Geochemistry; Geographical variations; Health aspects; Humans; Incidence; Iodine; Iron; Magnesium; Male; Mathematical models; Micronutrients - deficiency; Middle Aged; Nutrients; Nutrition; Nutritional Status; Ranking; Risk factors; Selenium; Selenium - deficiency; Sex Distribution; Smoking; Squamous cell carcinoma; Trends; Zinc; Zinc (Nutrient); Zinc - deficiency; Africa; United Kingdom; United Kingdom > UK; Malawi; United States > US; Tanzania; South Africa; France; Kenya; Ethiopia

The aetiology of Africa's easterly-lying corridor of squamous cell oesophageal cancer is poorly understood. Micronutrient deficiencies have been implicated in this cancer in other areas of the world, but their role in Africa is unclear. Without prospective cohorts, timely insights can instead b...