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Research: KIRSCH and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 134
Abstract
KIRSCH and colleagues, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA, have analyzed the connections between vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C and the risk of prostate cancer.
Background
Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C are micronutrient antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative damage involved in prostate carcinogenesis. The aim of these two trials was to associate supplemental vitamin E with a decreased risk of prostate cancer among smokers, and supplemental beta-carotene with a decreased risk of prostate cancer.
Methodology
The association between intake of these micronutrient antioxidants from foods and supplements and the risk of prostate cancer among men in the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial was evaluated. At baseline, trial participants completed a 137-item food frequency questionnaire that included detailed questions on 12 individual supplements. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks. All statistical tests were two-sided.
Results
1338 cases of prostate cancer among 29 361 men during up to 8 years of follow-up were identified. Overall, there was no association between prostate cancer risk and dietary or supplemental intake of vitamin E, beta-carotene, or vitamin C. However, among current and recent (i.e., within the previous 10 years) smokers, decreasing risks of advanced prostate cancer were associated with increasing dose (Relative Risk for > 400 IU/day versus none = 0.29) and duration (Relative Risk for > or = 10 years of use versus none = 0.30) of vitamin E supplementation. Supplemental beta-carotene intake at a dose level of at least 2000 microg/day was associated with decreased prostate cancer risk in men with low dietary beta-carotene intake (Relative Risk = 0.52). Among smokers, the age-adjusted rate of advanced prostate cancer was 492 per 100,000 person-years in those who did not take supplemental vitamin E, 153 per 100,000 person-years in those who took more than 400 IU/day of supplemental vitamin E, and 157 per 100,000 person-years in those who took supplemental vitamin E for 10 or more years. Among men with low dietary beta-carotene intake, the age-adjusted rate of prostate cancer was 1122 per 100,000 person-years in those who did not take supplemental beta-carotene, and 623 per 100,000 person-years in those who took at least 2000 microg/day of supplemental beta-carotene.
Conclusion
Vitamin E supplementation in smokers and beta-carotene supplementation in men with low dietary beta-carotene intakes were associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer.
References
Kirsh VA. Et al. Supplemental and dietary vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C intakes and prostate cancer risk. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 98 (4): 245-254, Feb 15, 2006.
