Male preponderance is a common epidemiological feature in cancers of the pharynx, esophagus, larynx and lung. A rising trend is observed in cancers of the pharynx and lung. Primary prevention of these cancers is believed to be effective based on results of a largescale cohort study in Japan. Risks were commonly high in daily cigarette smokers and dependent on cigarette dose. Risks for cancers of the pharynx and esophagus were also high in daily alcohol drinkers, especially when alcohol drinking was combined with cigarette smoking. Daily consumers of green-yellow vegetables showed a significantly lowered risk for cancer of the lung.
