Post on 03-Aug-2020
The causes of cancer:how much can be attributed to
causes that we can modify?
David Whiteman B Med Sc, MBBS (Hons), PhD, FAFPHM
Head, Cancer Control Group
Outline
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 2
The burden of cancer
Strategies for cancer control
Estimating the ‘preventable fraction’
8 ways to prevent cancer
Summary
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 3
Burden of disease, Australia 2003
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 4
Fatal burden of disease, Australia 2003
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 5
How does Australia compare internationally?
Incidence rate
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 6
How does Australia compare internationally?
Mortality-to-incidence ratio
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 7
Diagnoses of cancer over time in Australia
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 8
Deaths from cancer over time in Australia
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 9
The top 10 cancers for Australian men
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
Prostate (C61)
Skin - melanoma (C43)
Bronchus - lung (C34)
Colon (C18, C19)
Rectum (C20)
Kidney (C64-C66)
Bladder (C67)
UPS (C80)
Pancreas (C25)
Stomach (C16)
Number of cancers diagnosed 2010
Men
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 10
The top 10 cancers for Australian women
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
Breast (C50)
Colon (C18, C19)
Skin - melanoma (C43)
Bronchus & lung (C34)
Endometrial (C54, C55)
Thyroid (C73)
Rectum (C20)
UPS (C80)
Ovary (C56)
Pancreas (C25)
Number of cancers diagnosed 2010
Women
Outline
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 11
The burden of cancer
Strategies for cancer control
Estimating the ‘preventable fraction’
8 ways to prevent cancer
Summary
BirthOnset
of cancer
Primary
prevention
Diagnosis
of cancer
Secondary
prevention
Tertiary
prevention
Causal factors Screening Therapies
Death
Strategies for cancer control
Host
Age
Sex
Genes
Target cell
The causes of cancer – generally speaking
Environment
Smoking
Alcohol
Diet
Sunlight
Viruses
Chemicals
Radiation
Medication
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 14
The causes of cancer - specifically
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 15
The causes of cancer - specifically
Factor Cancers caused
Alcohol Oral cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Colon, Rectum, Liver, Breast
Tobacco Oral cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Oesophagus, Lung, Stomach, Liver,
Pancreas, Colorectal, Bladder, Kidney, Cervix, Ovary, Leukaemia
Obesity Breast (post-menopausal), Colorectum, Endometrium, Gallbladder,
Kidney, Oesophageal (adeno), Pancreas
Diet – Inadequate Fibre
– Red & Processed Meat
Colorectal
Diet – Inadequate Fruit*
– Inadequate Vegetables
Oral cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Oesophagus, Stomach, (Lung)*
Radiation – UV (sun+solaria) Melanoma, SCC, BCC
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 16
Factor Cancers caused (*prevented)
Breastfeeding < 12 months Breast
Hormones – OCP Breast, Cervix
*Endometrium, Ovary
Hormones – HRT Breast, Endometrium, Ovary
*Colorectum
Infections HPV:
EBV:
Hep B:
Hep C:
H. pylori:
HIV:
HHV8:
Oral, Pharynx, Tonsil , Larynx, Cervix, Vulva, Vagina, Penis, Anus
Nasopharynx, Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Liver
Liver, NHL
Stomach
NHL, Kaposi’s Sarcoma,
Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Inadequate Physical Activity Breast (post-menopausal), Colon, Endometrium
Radiation – Ionising All cancers
The causes of cancer - specifically
Outline
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 17
The burden of cancer
Strategies for cancer control
Estimating the ‘preventable fraction’
8 ways to prevent cancer
Summary
© Queensland Institute of Medical Research | 18
IpPAF
Ip- I0=
“The population attributable fraction is the proportion by which the
incidence rate of the outcome among the entire population would be
reduced if the exposure were eliminated.”
Last, Dictionary of Epidemiology 3rd Edition.
Some methodology
© Queensland Institute of Medical Research | 19
“healthy weight” “overweight”
Ra
te ra
tio
1.5
0.0
1.0
60% 40%
Force of morbidity
Cases of
cancer
© Queensland Institute of Medical Research | 20
Number of excess cases
in population
attributable to exposure
N=20
“healthy weight” “overweight”
PAFNumber of excess cases
Total number of cases
=20
120
= 16.7%
=
60% 40%
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 21
Task Source
Assess causality WCRF, IARC, (USPSTF)
Obtain prevalence data
Australian National Health Survey
Other national collections
Population-based epi studies
Grey literature
Obtain risk estimates WCRF, IARC, meta-analyses
Generate PAF estimates Standard formulae
Overview of estimation process
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 22
0 5000 10000 15000 20000
Lack of breast feeding
Radiation - Ionising*
Post-menopausalhormones
Insufficient physical activity
Alcohol
Infections
Overweight and obesity
Inadequate Diet
Radiation - UV
Tobacco
Number of cancer cases
Meat
Fibre
Fruit
Vegetables
DIETARY ITEMS
3920 (3.4%)
6948 (6.0%)
7219 (6.2%)
3259 (2.8%)
3204 (2.7%)
1811 (1.6%)
539 (0.5%)
431 (0.4%)
235 (0.2%)
15522 (13.3%)
* radon and background radiation only
Australia UK
International comparisons
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 23
Alcohol
Cancers considered Oral cavity and pharynx
Oesophagus (SCC)
Colon
Rectum
Liver
Larynx
Breast
Prevalence of
exposure in Australian
population:
(aged 18 yrs and over)
53% Men
40% Women
2001 National Health Survey
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 24
18-24 yrs25-34 yrs
35-44 yrs45-54 yrs
55-64 yrs65-74 yrs
75+ yrs
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Alcohol – intake in Australian males
Men Women
PAF Excess Cancers PAF Excess Cancers
Oral cavity and pharynx 38% 534 13% 77
Oesophagus (SCC) 36% 101 11% 25
Colon 12% 669 4% 198
Rectum 16% 394 5% 75
Liver 16% 159 5% 17
Larynx 22% 119 8% 7
Breast - - 6% 829
Total 3%* 1977 3%* 1228
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 25
* % of all cancers diagnosed in 2010, in adults (25+ yrs), excluding SCC and BCC of the skin
How many cancers in Australia are due to alcohol?
Men Women
PAF Excess Cancers PAF Excess Cancers
Oral cavity and pharynx 38% 534 13% 77
Oesophagus (SCC) 36% 101 11% 25
Colon 12% 669 4% 198
Rectum 16% 394 5% 75
Liver 16% 159 5% 17
Larynx 22% 119 8% 7
Breast - - 6% 829
Total 3%* 1977 3%* 1228
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 26
* % of all cancers diagnosed in 2010, in adults (25+ yrs), excluding SCC and BCC of the skin
How many cancers in Australia are due to alcohol?
Men Women
PAF Excess Cancers PAF Excess Cancers
Oral cavity and pharynx 38% 534 13% 77
Oesophagus (SCC) 36% 101 11% 25
Colon 12% 669 4% 198
Rectum 16% 394 5% 75
Liver 16% 159 5% 17
Larynx 22% 119 8% 7
Breast - - 6% 829
Total 3%* 1977 3%* 1228
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 27
* % of all cancers diagnosed in 2010, in adults (25+ yrs), excluding SCC and BCC of the skin
How many cancers in Australia are due to alcohol?
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 28
18-24 yrs
25-34 yrs35-44 yrs
45-54 yrs55-64 yrs
65-74 yrs75+ yrs
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Alcohol – intake in Australian males
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 29
18-24 yrs
25-34 yrs35-44 yrs
45-54 yrs55-64 yrs
65-74 yrs75+ yrs
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Alcohol – revised intake in Australian males
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 30
Primary
Analysis
Redistribute
equally
Redistribute
proportionally
PAF PAF PAF
Oral cavity and pharynx 31% 32% 32%
Oesophagus (SCC) 25% 26% 26%
Colon 8% 9% 9%
Rectum 12% 13% 13%
Liver 13% 13% 13%
Larynx 20% 21% 21%
Breast 6% 7% 7%
Total 2.8% 3.0% 3.0%
How many cancers in Australia are due to alcohol?
Target cell
Tumour development
Reduced repair and control
Increased cell turnover
Metabolic
pathways
Hormonal
pathways
Endometrium
Breast
Oesophagus
How does excess body fat cause cancer?
Cancers considered Oesophagus (adenocarcinoma only)
Colon
Rectum
Gall bladder
Pancreas
Breast (post-menopausal)
Endometrium
Ovary
Kidney
Prevalence of obesity
in Australian
population:
52% men
37% women (2001 National Health Survey).
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 34
How many cancers in Australia are due to obesity?
Men Women
PAF Excess Cancers PAF Excess Cancers
Oesophagus (adeno) 32% 182 29% 33
Colon 14% 780 6% 320
Rectum 7% 186 3% 44
Gall bladder 15% 16 14% 30
Pancreas 9% 129 6% 78
Breast (post-menopausal) - - 7% 970
Endometrium - - 26% 596
Ovary - - 4% 46
Kidney 20% 340 17% 171
Total 3%* 1632 5%* 2288
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 35
* % of all cancers diagnosed in 2010, in adults (25+ yrs), excluding SCC and BCC of the skin
How many cancers in Australia are due to obesity?
Men Women
PAF Excess Cancers PAF Excess Cancers
Oesophagus (adeno) 32% 182 29% 33
Colon 14% 780 6% 320
Rectum 7% 186 3% 44
Gall bladder 15% 16 14% 30
Pancreas 9% 129 6% 78
Breast (post-menopausal) - - 7% 970
Endometrium - - 26% 596
Ovary - - 4% 46
Kidney 20% 340 17% 171
Total 3%* 1632 5%* 2288
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 36
* % of all cancers diagnosed in 2010, in adults (25+ yrs), excluding SCC and BCC of the skin
How many cancers in Australia are due to obesity?
Men Women
PAF Excess Cancers PAF Excess Cancers
Oesophagus (adeno) 32% 182 29% 33
Colon 14% 780 6% 320
Rectum 7% 186 3% 44
Gall bladder 15% 16 14% 30
Pancreas 9% 129 6% 78
Breast (post-menopausal) - - 7% 970
Endometrium - - 26% 596
Ovary - - 4% 46
Kidney 20% 340 17% 171
Total 3%* 1632 5%* 2288
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 37
* % of all cancers diagnosed in 2010, in adults (25+ yrs), excluding SCC and BCC of the skin
How many cancers in Australia are due to obesity?
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%
1985
Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%
1990
Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%
1995
Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%
2000
Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%
2005
Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults
Does losing weight reduce risk of cancer?
Cancer
incidence
Females
Surgery
patients
Non-surgery
patients
Cancer
incidence
Males
Surgery
patients
Non-surgery
patients
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 47
Cancers considered Colon (C18, C19) and rectum (C20)
Prevalence of
exposure in Australian
population:
Daily use
•14% of men
•8% of women
•Varies +++ with age
(Australian Cancer Study controls)
Aspirin
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 48
Aspirin – how the story took hold
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 49
~25-30% reduced deaths from CRC with aspirin
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 50
Aspirin – get more data on all outcomes!
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 51
Aspirin – cancers vs other outcomes
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 52
Aspirin – get more data on rarer cancers!
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 53
Compare RCT vs observational studies for non-CRC cancer effects
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 54
Men Women
PF Prevented PF Prevented
Colorectal (C18-C20) 2% 195 2% 131
Oesophagus (C15) 6% 35 7% 8
Aspirin
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 55
• Considerations:
– Australian prevalence data not readily available.
– Jury still out on effective dose and frequency of aspirin
for cancer prevention.
– Adverse effects of aspirin use not considered.
Aspirin
Outline
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 56
The burden of cancer
Strategies for cancer control
Estimating the ‘preventable fraction’
8 ways to prevent cancer
Summary
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 57
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
Graham Colditz MBBS PhD
Washington University, St Louis
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 58
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
TIPS
•Choose small portions and eat slowly
•Eat diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains
•Integrate physical activity into your life
FOR PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS
•Limit children’s TV and computer time
•Encourage healthy snacking on fruits and vegetables
•Encourage activity during free time
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 59
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
TIPS
•Choose activities you enjoy – walking, gardening etc
•Make exercise a habit
•Exercise with others – helps motivation!
FOR PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS
•Play active games with kids
•Play outside!
•Walk to school
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 60
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
TIPS
•Keep trying! Most people take 6 or 7 attempts to quit
•Talk to your GP for help
•Join a quit-smoking program
FOR PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS
•Try to quit as soon as possible
•Don’t smoke in home or car
•Talk to kids about dangers of smoking
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 61
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
TIPS
•Fruit and veg at every meal – e.g. fruit on cereal
•Choose chicken, fish or beans instead of red meat
•Choose whole-grain cereal, brown rice over refined
products
FOR PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS
•Limit fast food and processed snacks
•Limit fizzy drinks
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 62
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
TIPS
•Choose non-alcoholic beverages at meals and parties.
•Avoid occasions centred around alcohol.
•Talk to GP if you feel you have a problem with alcohol
FOR PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS
•Avoid making alcohol an essential part of family
gatherings.
•Discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse with
children.
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 63
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 64
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
TIPS
•Practice safe sex
FOR PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS
•Vaccinate boys and girls against HPV
•Discuss safe sex
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 65
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=4514
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Alcohol in moderation, if at all
6. Sun protection
7. Protect yourself from STI
8. Get screening tests
TIPS
•Women: Pap tests; mammography
• Men and women: FOBT
•Skin exams for high-risk people
Outline
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 66
The burden of cancer
Strategies for cancer control
Estimating the ‘preventable fraction’
8 ways to prevent cancer
Summary
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 67
How much cancer can we prevent?
• 13 exposures – combined PAF* 32% in 2009 (excl. BCC and SCC)
– ≈ 37,000 cancers (or 100 per day)
– 33% in men
– 31% in women
• Exposures with highest PAFs:
– Men:
• Tobacco (16%), UVR (7%), alcohol (3%)
– Women:
• Tobacco (11%), UVR (5%), overweight/obesity (4%)
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
Prostate (C61)
Skin - melanoma (C43)
Bronchus - lung (C34)
Colon (C18, C19)
Rectum (C20)
Kidney (C64-C66)
Bladder (C67)
UPS (C80)
Pancreas (C25)
Stomach (C16)
Number of cancers diagnosed 2010
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 68
How many of the top 10 cancers could we prevent?
Men
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
Prostate (C61)
Skin - melanoma (C43)
Bronchus - lung (C34)
Colon (C18, C19)
Rectum (C20)
Kidney (C64-C66)
Bladder (C67)
UPS (C80)
Pancreas (C25)
Stomach (C16)
Number of cancers diagnosed 2010
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 69
43%
39%
0%
34%
31%
53%
42%
86%
70%
0%
Men
How many of the top 10 cancers could we prevent?
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
Breast (C50)
Colon (C18, C19)
Skin - melanoma (C43)
Bronchus & lung (C34)
Endometrial (C54, C55)
Thyroid (C73)
Rectum (C20)
UPS (C80)
Ovary (C56)
Pancreas (C25)
Number of cancers diagnosed 2010
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 70
How many of the top 10 cancers could we prevent?
Women
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
Breast (C50)
Colon (C18, C19)
Skin - melanoma (C43)
Bronchus & lung (C34)
Endometrial (C54, C55)
Thyroid (C73)
Rectum (C20)
UPS (C80)
Ovary (C56)
Pancreas (C25)
Number of cancers diagnosed 2010
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 71
23%
26%
54%
78%
0%
33%
23%
0%
7%
28%
How many of the top 10 cancers could we prevent?
Women
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 72
Stop smoking!
Start exercising!
Lose weight!
Slip! Slop! Slap!
Drink less!
And for goodness sake …
SEE YOUR GP!
to stay
healthy
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 74
Acknowledgements
Cancer Council Australia
Public Health Committee
Chief Investigators
David WhitemanHead, Cancer Control Group
Penelope WebbHead, Gynaecological Cancers Group
Adele GreenHead, Cancer and Population Studies Group
Rachel NealeHead, Cancer Aetiology and Prevention Group
Lin Fritschi Head, Epidemiology Group, Curtin University, Perth
Associate Investigators
Annika Antonsson
Renee Carey
Maria Celia Hughes
Torukiri Ibiebele
Susan Jordan
Bradley Kendall
Kyoko Miura
Christina Nagle
Catherine Olsen
Nirmala Pandeya
Susan Peters
Research Assistant
Louise Wilson
Advisors
Christopher Bain
Max Parkin
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 75
Prostate and Breast cancer trends in Australia
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 76
Bowel cancer trends in Australia
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 77
Melanoma trends in Australia
© QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | 78
Lung cancer trends in Australia