Rectal Cancer
Rectal cancer in women linked to low vitamin E The risk of rectal cancer, especially in older women, may be linked to a low intake of vitamin E, according to a report published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (2004;159:32-41). Antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E are believe to neutralize free radicals in the digestive tract and prevent cellular damage.
Researchers collected information from more than 900 men and women with rectal cancer and more than 1,200 healthy subjects. Nutritional information was analyzed, and correlations between specific antioxidants and rectal cancer were studied.
Women showed the largest association between antioxidants and rectal cancer risk. Women with the lowest vitamin E levels were found to be more than twice as likely to have rectal cancer than women with the highest levels. Women with the lowest intakes of lycopene, and antioxidant carotenoid, were also found to be 70 percent more likely to have rectal cancer.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Vegetus Publications
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group
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