During the years 1979 to 1981 a population-based case-control study of bladder cancer including papillomas was performed in Greater Copenhagen. After exclusions some 388 patients (290 males; 98 females) and an age- and sex-matched group of 787 controls (592 males; 195 females) remained for analysis. Controls were selected at random from the general population of the study area. All persons were interviewed concerning use of artificial sweeteners in addition to their exposure to a number of other known or suspected risk factors for bladder cancer. Fifty-five male bladder cancer patients (19.4%) and 150 controls (25.7%) had at some time used artificial sweeteners regularly. Among females 27.1% of cases and 25.9% of controls regularly used sweeteners. In neither sex was the relative risk significantly increased in users compared with non-users of artificial sweeteners. The relative risk of 0.78 in the two sexes combined was not significantly different from 1.0 (95% C.I.: 0.58-1.05). There was no indication of a regular increase in risk with increasing daily consumption of table-top sweeteners nor was there any indication of an increase in risk with a duration of regular use of artificial sweeteners. Taking into account a possible latency period between first regular use and bladder cancer development did not change the finding of an absence of association between use of artificial sweeteners and the risk of bladder cancer. Neither saccharine nor cyclamate users had an increased risk of bladder cancer. This population-based case-control investigation provides further evidence that it is highly unlikely that the consumption of artificial sweeteners has contributed to current bladder cancer rates in man.

Beverages↗

PubMed1983

Cancer epidemiology: shortcomings and possibilities.

The development of the concepts of initiators and promoters in carcinogenesis necessitates deliberations of evidence from human cancer epidemiology. Recent arguments in favor of mortality data as a more reliable indicator of trends in cancer incidence than morbidity data collected from cancer registries are disputed. Inconsistency in the use of data is pointed out. Comparisons of data from cancer registration in Denmark with those from Connecticut and upstate New York show such congruity that it is impossible to accept suggestions of systematic bias of significance without direct evidence to that effect. Since accurate information on periods of exposure and on the onset of disease is fundamental to considerations of initiators and promoters the following proposals are made. Payrolls or similar data should be kept safe for 40 years for occupations where exposure to carcinogens may be suspected. Experience on latent periods from the last 100 years should be systematically reassured. Death certificates showing a diagnosis of malignant neoplasia should always state the histological diagnosis if any.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

The alleged association between artificial fluoridation of water supplies and cancer: a review.

Since 1945, artificial fluoridation of water supplies has been used with success to reduce the incidence of dental caries in many areas where the natural fluoride content of the water is low. However, since 1975, it has been maintained that such artificial fluoridation is followed by an increased risk of cancer. These allegations originate from a single source. The present review, which covers re-examinations of the same data as well as evidence from scientific and governmental bodies in many countries, shows these assertions to be erroneous.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982