Cancer incidence by levels of cholesterol

R. R. Williams, P. D. Sorlie, M. Feinleib, P. M. McNamara, W. B. Kannel, T. R. Dawber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In 5,209 subjects studied for 24 years in Framingham, Mass, 691 cases of cancer were documented, with histological confirmation for 94%. Predetermined personal characteristics were tested for associations with subsequent occurrence of cancer at specific sites using multiple logistic regression. Significant associations of various cancer sites with cigarette smoking, alcohol use, education, height, weight, and parity agreed with other studies. Serum cholesterol level was inversely associated with incidence of colon cancer and with other sites only in men; these inverse associations were statistically significant after adjustment for age, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, education, systolic blood pressure, and relative weight. Association may reflect effects of competing lethal diseases, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that promote or inhibit development of cancer in men, biologic or social response to early and undiagnosed states of cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)247-252
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American Medical Association
Volume245
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1981
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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