Ames B N, Gold L S, Willett W C
Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 Jun 6;92(12):5258-65. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.12.5258.
Epidemiological evidence indicates that avoidance of smoking, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and control of infections will have a major effect on reducing rates of cancer. Other factors include avoidance of intense sun exposure, increases in physical activity, and reduction of alcohol consumption and possibly red meat. A substantial reduction in breast cancer is likely to require modification of sex hormone levels, and development of practical methods for doing so is a high research priority. Resolution of the potential protective roles of specific antioxidants and other constituents of fruits and vegetables deserves major attention. Mechanistic studies of carcinogenesis indicate an important role of endogenous oxidative damage to DNA that is balanced by elaborate defense and repair processes. Also key is the rate of cell division, which is influenced by hormones, growth, cytotoxicity, and inflammation, as this determines the probability of converting DNA lesions to mutations. These mechanisms may underlie many epidemiologic observations.
流行病学证据表明，避免吸烟、增加水果和蔬菜的摄入量以及控制感染对降低癌症发病率将产生重大影响。其他因素包括避免过度暴露于阳光下、增加体育活动、减少酒精消费以及可能减少红肉摄入。大幅降低乳腺癌发病率可能需要调节性激素水平，开发切实可行的方法是一项高度优先的研究任务。明确特定抗氧化剂和水果及蔬菜中的其他成分的潜在保护作用值得高度关注。癌症发生的机制研究表明，内源性DNA氧化损伤起着重要作用，而精细的防御和修复过程可对此起到平衡作用。同样关键的是细胞分裂速度，它受激素、生长、细胞毒性和炎症的影响，因为这决定了将DNA损伤转化为突变的可能性。这些机制可能是许多流行病学观察结果的基础。
