Tea-gruel as a possible factor for cancer for the esophagus.

Abstract

Specific death rates for esophageal cancer by each city and county in Japan were calculated. Nara and Wakayama Prefectures formed a high death-rate area with some neighboring cities and counties in other perfectures. Inhabitants of these area are known by the custom of taking "Chagayu", tea-cooked rice gruel. According to this survey on the habit of taking hot tea-gruel, with over 5,000 teachers and their families aged over 50 years old, the distribution of the precentages of taking tea-gruel among surveyed subjects by cities and counties was similar to that of the death rates for esophageal cancer. Also, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western-most prefecture of the main island (Honshu), there was an area which showed a similar condition. The result of this survey suggests that taking hot tea-gruel is one of possible factors for esophageal cancer in these districts.