The European Organization for Cooperation in Cancer Prevention Studies (ECP) was established in 1981 to promote collaboration between scientists working in the various European countries on cancer causation and prevention. In order to achieve this aim, various working group- to deal with specific cancers or aspects of cancer aetiology, and to explore the opportunities for advances on a cooperative European basis - were established. It was also decided to hold annual symposia to draw general attention to fields in which there seemed to be many opportunities for progress in matters of prevention. These symposia have been devoted to themes of high priority to cancer prevention: "Tobacco and Cancer" (1983), "Hormones and Sexual Factors in Human Cancer Aetiology" (1984), "Diet and Human Carcinogenesis" (1985), "Concepts and Theories in Carcinogenesis" (1986)," Preventive Strategies for Cancer related to Immune Deficiencies" (1987), "Gastric Carcinogenesis" (1988), and "Breast, Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer: Aetiological and Epidemiological Relationships" (1989). This volume contains the proceedings of the 1990 ECP symposium held in Heidelberg, FRG, at the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), on April 2-3 on "Causation and Prevention of Human Cancer". We are indebted to the speakers for their contribution during the symposium and for their prompt submission of manuscripts. We are grateful to the sponsors, SmithKline Diagnostics and Rohm Pharma. Our special thanks go to Dr M.C. stanei-Gueur for preparing and typing the camera forms of all manuscripts.

Inhalt

1. Introduction and overview of ECP.- 2. Non-invasive markers of carcinogen exposure in humans.- 3. Mediterranean diet and cancer.- 4. Europe against cancer: 1987 -1989 results and 1990 -1994 perspectives.- 5. Precancerous lesions of the colorectum. Descriptive epidemiology and diet-related aetiological factors.- 6. Diet and precancerous lesions of the stomach.- 7. Reproductive factors, oral contraceptives and breast cancer: the importance of unifying hypotheses.- 8. Female hormones: for which cancers do they matter?.- 9. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines : underestimated carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke.- 10. Malignant melanoma: an epidemiological phenomenon.- 11. Healthy eating and public education.- 12. Cancer primary prevention : a gap between knowledge and intervention.- Index of Authors.