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Effects of beta-carotene supplementation on cancer incidence by baseline characteristics in the Physicians' Health Study (United States)

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Abstract

Objectives: The Physicians' Health Study (PHS) was a randomized trial of beta-carotene (50 mg, alternate days) and aspirin in primary prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease among 22,071 US male physicians. This report updates results for beta-carotene and examines effect modification by baseline characteristics.

Methods: Beta-carotene's effect on cancer over nearly 13 years was examined overall and within subgroups defined by baseline characteristics using proportional-hazards models.

Results: 2667 incident cancers were confirmed, with 1117 prostate, 267 colon, and 178 lung cancers. There were no significant differences with supplementation in total (relative risk (RR) = 1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9–1.0); prostate (RR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.9–1.1); colon (RR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.7–1.2); or lung (RR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.7–1.2) cancer, and no differences over time. In subgroup analyses, total cancer was modestly reduced with supplementation among those aged 70+ years (RR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.7–1.0), daily drinkers of alcohol (RR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.8–1.0), and those in the highest BMI quartile (RR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.7–1.0). Prostate cancer was reduced with supplementation among those in the highest BMI quartile (RR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.6–1.0), and colon cancer was reduced among daily drinkers of alcohol (RR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3–0.8).

Conclusions: The PHS found no overall effect of beta-carotene on total cancer, or the three most common site-specific cancers. The possibility of risk reduction within specific subgroups remains.

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Cook, N.R., Lee, IM., Manson, J.E. et al. Effects of beta-carotene supplementation on cancer incidence by baseline characteristics in the Physicians' Health Study (United States). Cancer Causes Control 11, 617–626 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008995430664

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008995430664

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