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Vitamins E, C may not have protective effect against cancer
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AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research
Vitamin E does not appear to have a significant protective effect against prostate cancer, according to data from the Physicians’ Health Study II.
The data, presented by Howard D. Sesso, ScD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, also indicated there may not be a significant protective effect of vitamin C supplementation against total cancer risk. Sesso said study results indicated that maintaining a healthy, balanced diet may offer more protection against cancer than vitamin supplements.
The data were presented at the AACR Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research.
The Physicians’ Health Study II examined the effect of vitamin E (400 IU every other day) and vitamin C (500 mg daily) supplementation on cancer risk in 14,641 American male physicians. At baseline, all participants were aged 50 years or older; 8.7% of men had prevalent cancer. Participating physicians were randomly assigned to receive vitamin E supplementation, vitamin C supplementation or placebo.
During a median follow-up period of 7.6 years, 1,929 cases of cancer — including 1,013 cases of prostate cancer — were reported. Participants randomized to vitamin E supplementation had a RR of prostate cancer of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.84-1.07) and a RR of total cancer of 1.04 (95% CI, 0.95-1.14). Those randomized to vitamin C supplementation had a RR of total cancer of 1 (95% CI, 0.92-1.1).
The researchers said these findings should be used to inform clinical and public health recommendations regarding supplementation with vitamin E or vitamin C. – by Jay Lewis
For more information:
- Sesso HD. #PR-1. Presented at: AACR Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; Nov. 16-18, 2008; Washington.