The etiological role of diet, smoking, and drinking habits of patients with esophageal carcinoma in Turkey.

Esophageal cancer has a known high incidence in areas adjacent to the Caspian Sea and in northeastern Turkey. This study compares the incidence of esophageal cancer in Bursa (northwestern Turkey) with an age-matched control population. Factors associated with esophageal cancer and significantly at variance with controls include: age over 70, low income, smoking more than one pack of cigarettes per day, and low vegetable and fresh fruit intake.