Positive Health Online

Abstract

JATOI and colleagues, Department of Medicine, Tufts University and New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 USA. Jatoi_bf@hnrc.tufts.edu conducted a cross-sectional study of postoperative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients looked at the possible effects of vitamin intake and folate status upon disease-free survival .

Background

Methodology

Using the Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire, supplemental vitamin usage, dietary vitamin intake, red blood cell (RBC) folate, and serum folate concentrations were assessed in patients with a history of NSCLCL. Exclusion criteria included factors altering folate status or associated with altered nutritional habits: 1) evidence of cancer on history, physical, or chest radiograph; 2) tobacco, alcohol ingestion (>2 drinks/day) or cancer treatment within 3 months; 3) the use of folate antagonists; and 4) age <60 years.

Results

36 patients were evaluated. The median disease-free censored survival was 24 months (range 4-41 months). 19 of 36 patients (53%) reported vitamin supplementation. Compared with non vitamin supplement users, vitamin users had a longer median censored survival (41 months versus 11 months, P = 0.002). Following adjustment for stage of cancer, the association between RBC folate and censored survival (r = 0.35) and serum folate and censored survival (r = 0.32) approached statistical significance.

Conclusion

Patients with NSCLC who take vitamin supplements are more likely to be long-term survivors . A similar trend toward long-term survival is seen in patients with higher circulating folate concentrations.

References

Jatoi A et al A cross-sectional study of vitamin intake in postoperative non-small cell lung cancer patients. J Surg Oncol 68(4): 231-6. Aug 1998.

Comment

Lung cancer is no picnic. Survival rates are still abysmal. So, when I read research demonstrating that taking vitamins can increase survival 400% (41 months versus 11 months), I ask myself "why isnt this being broadcast on the front pages of newspapers and over the television as headline news? But nobody ever gets to hear of these results on the television. Instead, we are regularly subjected to negative barrages from popular presenters and programmes about how we are wasting our money by taking vitamins. Words cannot describe the anger and profound sadness I feel when I read such research, realising that the evidence is clear but yet the government is about to remove one of our best means of longer survival if it enacts legislation to classify vitamins as medicines rather than as food supplements. I hope that enough people read these research pages in the magazine and over the internet and that the message gets through to someone before we have all died of cancer.