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Vitamins and carotenoids intake and the risk of basal cell carcinoma of the skin in women (United States)

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Abstract

Objective: We examined prospectively intakes of vitamins A, C, and E, folate, and specific carotenoids in relation to the risk of basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC) in women. Methods: Dietary intake was assessed by food-frequency questionnaires every two–four years and the first diagnosis of BCC was ascertained by self-report every two years. We used logistic regression to model the association between dietary intake and the risk of BCC adjusting for various health, sun exposure, and sun sensitivity factors. Results: During 12 years of follow-up we recorded 5392 cases. We did not find any significant inverse associations between these dietary factors and BCC. On the contrary, weak positive trends were seen with vitamins A, C, and E, and folate. The multivariate relative risks (RRs) comparing the top to bottom quintile were 1.20 (95% CI = 1.10–1.31) for folate, 1.16 (95% CI = 1.06–1.26) for vitamin A, 1.13 (95% CI = 1.03–1.23) for vitamin C, and 1.15 (95% CI = 1.06–1.26) for vitamin E. Exploration of latency periods did not suggest different associations with a particular duration. Conclusions: We did not find evidence that vitamins A, C, and E, and folate, or specific carotenoids play an important protective role against the incidence of BCC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Teresa T. Fung

  2. Department of Nutrition, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Teresa T. Fung, David J. Hunter & Walter C. Willett

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    David J. Hunter, Donna Spiegelman, Graham A. Colditz & Walter C. Willett

  4. Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    David J. Hunter, Graham A. Colditz & Walter C. Willett

  5. Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    David J. Hunter, Graham A. Colditz, Frank E. Speizer & Walter C. Willett

  6. Department of Biostatistics, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Donna Spiegelman

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Fung, T.T., Hunter, D.J., Spiegelman, D. et al. Vitamins and carotenoids intake and the risk of basal cell carcinoma of the skin in women (United States). Cancer Causes Control 13, 221–230 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015036317596

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