There was little evidence of an overall association between alcohol intake and stomach cancer risk, although modest positive associations were observed among never smokers and in Asian cohorts.
Abstract
Background
Stomach cancer presents complex etiologic heterogeneity. Ethanol in alcoholic beverages and its metabolite acetaldehyde are carcinogens causally linked to several cancers, but their role in gastric carcinogenesis has not been established. We analyzed harmonized, individual-level prospective data to examine associations between alcohol intake and risk of stomach cancer and its subtypes.
Methods
2,009,951 participants in 20 cohorts (mean follow-up=9-29 years) within the Pooling Project of Prospective Studies of Diet and Cancer (n = 8,357 incident invasive gastric adenocarcinomas) were included. We used Cox regression to assess associations between alcohol intake and risk of stomach cancer overall and by anatomical and histological subtype and population subgroup, adjusting for confounders.
Results
Evidence for an association between alcohol intake and overall stomach cancer risk was weak (hazard ratio, HR, for ≥30 v 0.1-<5 g/day: 1.06 [95% confidence interval, CI, 0.96 to 1.16], P between-studies heterogeneity=0.43). Positive associations with stomach cancer risk were observed in never smokers (HR, for ≥30 v 0.1-<5 g/day: 1.20 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.42]; P interaction=0.02) and for Asian studies (HR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.42]; P interaction=0.01). Modest increased risks were observed for non-cardia cancers such as those of the fundus, body and greater curvature, but not distally located non-cardia cancers. HRs did not differ materially between diffuse- and intestinal-type cancers (P heterogeneity>0.05).
Conclusion
There was little evidence of an overall association between alcohol intake and stomach cancer risk, although modest positive associations were observed among never smokers and in Asian cohorts.
Although previous cohort studies have examined the association between vegetable and fruit intake and cancer risk, the findings remain inconsistent. Using data from 50,987 participants in the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (2016 to 2019), we investigated the relationship between vegetable and fruit intake and the incidence of cancers through linkage with the cancer registry up to June 30, 2024. Participants in the highest quartile of total vegetable and fruit intake had a lower risk of overall cancer (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.72-0.90), with similar inverse associations observed for vegetables and fruits separately. Higher intake was also associated with lower risks of lung and stomach cancers, whereas no associations were observed for colorectal cancer. In continuous analyses, each SD increase in total vegetable and fruit intake was associated with a lower risk of overall cancer (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88-0.97), and the findings were generally consistent with those from quartile-based analyses. In subgroup analyses, these inverse associations were observed among participants with favorable lifestyles and health conditions. RCS analyses identified nonlinear associations between fruit intake and the risks of overall and lung cancer, with the protective associations becoming less pronounced at excessive intake levels.
Jun Li, X. Yin, Genming Zhao et al.· International Journal of Can...· 0 citations
Abstract As Helicobacter pylori prevalence declines, understanding the contribution of modifiable systemic factors to gastric cancer risk becomes increasingly important. We evaluated the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS), its individual components, and anatomic subsites with incident gastric cancer in 471,540 UK Biobank participants. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of overall, cardia, and non-cardia gastric cancers, and restricted cubic splines were used for exploratory nonlinear analyses. Over a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, 332 incident gastric cancer cases were identified. In the fully adjusted model, baseline MetS was associated with increased gastric cancer risk [HR = 1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–1.71]. A positive trend was observed with the accumulation of metabolic components (P for trend = 0.033). Subsite analyses showed a directionally positive association for cardia gastric cancer (HR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.03–2.11) and a nonsignificant positive association for non-cardia gastric cancer (HR = 1.28; 95% CI, 0.95–1.73); however, formal testing found no statistical evidence of subsite heterogeneity (P for heterogeneity = 0.547). Exploratory spline analysis suggested a possible nonlinear association for systolic blood pressure. Overall, MetS and the accumulation of its components were associated with a moderately increased risk of gastric cancer. Waist circumference showed the most consistent component-level signal, and further studies are needed to clarify the role of metabolic health in gastric cancer risk assessment. Significance: In this prospective analysis of 471,540 UK Biobank participants, MetS was associated with a moderately increased risk of incident gastric cancer. A positive trend was observed with cumulative metabolic component burden, and waist circumference showed the most consistent component-level signal. Subsite analyses suggested a stronger point estimate for cardia gastric cancer, but formal testing found no statistical evidence of heterogeneity between cardia and non-cardia tumors.
Gang-Qiang Wang, Shi-Rui Li, Si-Yu Li et al.· Cancer Research Communicatio...· 0 citations
Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and limited preventive strategies. Magnesium is a biologically important micronutrient involved in metabolic regulation, genomic stability, and inflammation, but evidence linking magnesium intake to pancreatic cancer risk is inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between dietary magnesium intake and pancreatic cancer risk.
A systematic search of major electronic databases was conducted from inception to September 2025 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Prospective cohort and case–control studies assessing dietary magnesium intake and pancreatic cancer risk were included. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing highest versus lowest intake categories were pooled using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were performed. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.
Nine observational studies (four cohort and five case–control) were included, comprising over 650,000 participants and approximately 2,400 pancreatic cancer cases. Higher magnesium intake was associated with a significantly lower risk of pancreatic cancer (pooled RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.45–0.85). Heterogeneity was substantial (I² = 74%), with stronger associations observed in case–control studies. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings, and no significant publication bias was detected.
Higher dietary magnesium intake is associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. Although heterogeneity and potential biases warrant cautious interpretation, these findings support a possible protective role for magnesium and highlight the need for further large prospective studies.
Essam Rama, Yusef Ibraheem, David Wong et al.· British Journal of Surgery· 0 citations
OBJECTIVE
Alcohol and smoking are established carcinogens; however, evidence on adolescent exposure during mammary development on breast cancer risk remains inconsistent. This study assessed the associations between adolescent alcohol intake, smoking, and adult breast cancer risk.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE (1966), Web of Science (1900), and Scopus (1970) from inception to September 2025 identified 31 eligible studies (eleven on alcohol, twenty on smoking). Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effects models.
RESULTS
No overall association was observed between adolescent alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.93, 1.33). Although alcohol initiation at ≤15 years was associated with higher risk in subgroup analyses, evidence was inconsistent. Adolescent smoking was associated with increased breast cancer risk (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.19). The certainty of evidence was very low for both exposures.
CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent smoking was associated with a modest increase in breast cancer risk, whereas no clear association was observed for adolescent alcohol consumption. These findings highlight the potential value of smoking prevention during adolescence. However, the very low certainty of evidence warrants cautious interpretation, and future prospective studies are needed to disentangle adolescent behaviours from lifetime exposures.
