antioxidants: not associated with low risk in prostate cancer

Filed in archive Investigational , Studies on February 19, 2006

A study in the February 15 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that intakes of dietary or supplemental antioxidants were not associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer among men in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial.

BUT it found out that vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation may be associated with reduced prostate cancer risk in certain population subgroups.

Research suggests that micronutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids may play a role in preventing cancer development because of their ability to combat free radicals, agents that can damage cellular DNA, lipid membranes, and proteins.

The authors found that, overall, dietary or supplemental intake of vitamin E, vitamin C, or beta-carotene was not associated with prostate cancer incidence in this group of PLCO trial participants. However, certain micronutrients were associated with prostate cancer risk in specific subgroups of men.

Experts agree that the above findings do not provide strong support for the implementation of antioxidant supplementation for the prevention of prostate cancer.

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