Positive Health Online

Abstract

TERRY and colleagues, Department of Medical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, paul.terry@mep.ki.se investigated the effects of antioxidant vitamins in cancer of the oesophagus and gastric cardia .

Background

There are few dietary studies of these conditions.

Methodology

The authors studied the intakes of vitamin C, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol in 185, 165 and 258 cases of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma respectively, and in 815 controls, in a nationwide, population-based, case-control study in Sweden.

Results

A high parallel intake of all three vitamins was associated with a 40-50% lower risk of both types of oesophageal cancer compared with a low parallel intake, but did not alter the risk of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. Separately, both vitamin C and beta-carotene were more effective than alpha-tocopherol at reducing the risk of oesophageal cancers. Findings also suggested that the relative risk reductions in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma due to antioxidant vitamin intake may be greater in individuals under presumed higher oxidative stress due to smoking or gastro-oesophageal reflux respectively.

Conclusion

The findings of this study may be relevant for the implementation of focussed, cost-effective preventative measures.

References

Terry P et al. Antioxidants and cancers of the oesophagus and gastric cardia. International Journal of Cancer 87 (5): 750-4. Sep 2000.