Risk factors for esophageal cancer in a low-incidence area of Brazil

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVESEsophageal cancer is the eighth commonest type of cancer worldwide, occupying sixth place in terms of mortality. Smoking and alcohol use are known risk factors for this type of cancer. The aim here was to evaluate the risk factors for esophageal cancer in a low-incidence area.DESIGN AND SETTINGCase-control study in Goiânia, with 99 cases of esophageal cancer and 223 controls.METHODSThe variables were sociodemographic, dietary, occupational and lifestyle data. The sample was analyzed using the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and Mantel-Haenszel approach for multivariate analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 5% significance and 95% confidence intervals.RESULTSThe risk of esophageal cancer was higher in patients ≥ 55 years (OR = 1.95; P