Letters To The Editor
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2011; 17(24): 2976-2976
Published online Jun 28, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i24.2976
Hepatocellular carcinoma and industrial epidemics
Alain Braillon, Gérard Dubois
Alain Braillon, Gres, 27, rue Voiture, 80000 Amiens, France
Gérard Dubois, Public Health, Northern hospital, place Victor Pauchet, 80000 Amiens, France
Author contributions: Braillon A and Dubois G conceived, analyzed and wrote the letter.
Supported by Comité départemental de l’Oise de la Ligue Contre le Cancer
Correspondence to: Dr. Alain Braillon, Gres, 27, rue Voiture, 80000 Amiens, France. braillon.alain@gmail.com
Telephone: +33-3-22955539
Received: September 1, 2010
Revised: January 17, 2011
Accepted: January 24, 2011
Published online: June 28, 2011
Abstract

Worldwide, the burden of the non viral causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually underestimated. Clearly industrial goods, tobacco, alcohol and processed foods are the agents of new epidemics in modern times which far outscore the burden of infectious agents on morbidity and mortality. Smoking, a dose-related contributing factor for HCC, receives too little attention in clinical practice. In France, tobacco, hepatitis B and C virus and alcohol are the main risk factors for HCC mortality (33%, 31% and 26%, respectively). In developing countries, where tobacco consumption is dramatically increasing, this epidemic may soon surpass hepatitis B. Obesity and diabetes are the contributing factors too. The role of industrial processed foods in the increase of the prevalence of obesity and diabetes cannot be ignored.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Tobacco; Alcohol; Processed foods; Industrial epidemics