Although observational studies suggest that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of cancer, randomized trials of a link between antioxidant use and cancer risk have failed to support this association.

Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene supplements offer no overall benefit in the primary prevention of cancer, according to a study published in the January 7, 2009 issues of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Although observational studies suggest that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of cancer, randomized trials of a link between antioxidant use and cancer risk have failed to support this association. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene supplements offer no overall benefit in the primary prevention of cancer, according to a study published in the January 7, 2009 issues of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute .

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts studied 8,171 women who were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Of these women, 7,627 women were cancer-free. After an average treatment time of over 9 years, the researchers found that the use of these three antioxidant supplements was not associated with any statistically significant effects on the incidence of cancer or cancer death.

Due to the design of the study, it was not possible for the researchers to study the effect of these three antioxidants on the risk of specific cancers. As a result of these findings, the researchers concluded that there was no basis for a recommendation that people increased dietary levels of antioxidants as a way to reduce cancer risk.

Source

J Natl Cancer Inst, Advance Access published online December 30, 2008.