Topic:

Intake of Vitamins and Minerals May Reduce the Risk of Bladder Cancer

Keywords:

BLADDER CANCER, CIGARETTE SMOKING - Vitamins, Minerals, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Carotenoids, Phosphorous, Niacin, Thiamin

Reference:

“Minerals and vitamins and the risk of bladder cancer: results from the New Hampshire Study,” Brinkman MT, Karagas MR, et al, Cancer Causes Control, 2009 Dec 31; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Cancer Epidemiology Centre, The Cancer Council Victoria, 1 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia

Summary:

In a case-control study involving 322 cases and 239 controls, total intake of various vitamins and minerals were found to be inversely associated with bladder cancer risk. (Ben’s comment: Meaning that the more vitamins and minerals were found the less risk for bladder cancer) Specifically - comparing the highest versus the lowest quartiles, total intake of vitamin E was associated with an OR of 0.66 and dietary intake of phosphorus was associated with an OR of 0.49. In smokers, vitamin E intake (highest vs lowest quartile) was associated with an OR of 0.58, carotenoids were associated with an OR of 0.62, and niacin was associated with an OR of 0.66. In older adults, higher intakes of carotenoids, vitamin D, thiamin, niacin, and vitamin E were all inversely associated with bladder cancer risk. The authors conclude, "Our findings suggest further investigation of the effect of vitamin E, carotenoids, vitamin D, thiamin, and niacin on bladder cancer risk may be warranted. Future studies should focus on high risk groups such as heavy smokers and older individuals."

Topic:

Dietary B Vitamin and Methionine Intakes and Breast Cancer Risk

Keywords:

BREAST CANCER - B Vitamins, Methionine

Reference:

"Dietary B Vitamin and Methionine Intakes and Breast Cancer Risk Among Chinese Women," Shrubsole MJ, Shu XO, et al, Am J Epidemiol, 2011 March 29; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Dr. Martha J. Shrubsole, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Division of Epidemiology, Eighth Floor, Suite 800, 2525 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203-1738, USA.

Summary:

In a study involving data collected from 718 Chinese women with breast cancer, higher folate intake was associated with reduced risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Niacin was associated with ER+/PR+ breast cancer risk (HT=1.62). The authors state, "Findings support the hypothesis that high folate intake may reduce breast cancer risk and that the association may vary by menopausal and ER/PR status."

Topic:

Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women of Normal Weight

Keywords:

BREAST CANCER - Vitamin D

Reference:

"Vitamin D Decreases Risk of Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women of Normal Weight in Subtropical Taiwan," Lees MS, Huang YC, et al, J Epidemiol, 2010 Dec 11; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China).

Summary:

In a hospital-based, case-control study involving 200 incident breast cancer cases and 200 controls, after controlling for age, education, parity, hormone replacement therapy, body mass index, energy intake, menopausal status, and daily sunlight exposure, dietary vitamin D intake greater than 5 microg/d was found to be associated with significantly lower OR (0.48) of breast cancer, as compared to those consuming less than 2 microg/d. After stratifying by menopausal status and BMI, dietary vitamin D intake and total vitamin D intakes were associated with a protective effect in premenopausal women. In subjects with a 'normal weight' (BMI lower than 24 kg/m(2)), dietary vitamin D intake was inversely associated with risk of breast cancer. The authors conclude, "Vitamin D had a protective effect against breast cancer in premenopausal women of normal weight in subtropical Taiwan, especially an intake greater than 5 micrograms per day."

Topic:

Supplementation with Green Tea Extracts may play a Potential Role in the Treatment and Prevention of Prostate Cancer

Keywords:

PROSTATE CANCER - Polyphenon E, Green Tea, Polyphenols

Reference:

"Tea polyphenols decrease serum levels of prostate-specific antigen, hepatocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor in prostate cancer patients and inhibit production of hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro," McLarty J, Cardelli JA, et al, Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa), 2009; 2(7): 673-82. (Address: Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA).

Summary:

In a study involving 26 men with positive prostate biopsies, scheduled for radical prostatectomy, results suggest a potential role for Polyphenon E (green tea extracts) in the prevention of or slowing the progression of prostate cancer. The patients received daily supplementation with Polyphenon E, which contained 800 mg of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and lesser amounts of (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, and (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (a total of 1.3 g of tea polyphenols), until time of radical prostatectomy (average of 34.5 days). Polyphenon E supplementation was associated with significant reductions in blood levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Thus, the authors conclude, "Our results show a significant reduction in serum levels of PSA, HGF, and VEGF in men with prostate cancer af ter brief treatment with EGCG (Polyphenon E), with no elevation of liver enzymes. These findings support a potential role for Polyphenon E in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer."