This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jacobs, E. J. Articles by Thun, M. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jacobs, E. J. Articles by Thun, M. J.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E Supplement Use and Colorectal Cancer Mortality in a Large American Cancer Society Cohort

Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4251

Some recent epidemiological studies have suggested that use of vitamin C or vitamin E supplements, both of which are important antioxidants, may substantially reduce the risk of colon or colorectal cancer. We examined the association between colorectal cancer mortality and use of individual vitamin C and E supplements in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study II cohort. We used proportional hazards modeling to estimate rate ratios among 711,891 men and women in the United States who completed a self-administered questionnaire at study enrollment in 1982, had no history of cancer, and were followed for mortality through 1996. During the 14 years of follow-up, 4404 deaths from colorectal cancer occurred. After adjustment for multiple colorectal cancer risk factors, regular use of vitamin C or E supplements, even long-term use, was not associated with colorectal cancer mortality. The combined-sex rate ratios were 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73–1.09] for 10 or more years of vitamin C use and 1.08 (95% CI, 0.85–1.38) for 10 or more years of vitamin E use. In subgroup analyses, use of vitamin C supplements for 10 or more years was associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer mortality before age 65 years (rate ratio = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.28–0.81) and decreased risk of rectal cancer mortality at any age (rate ratio = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20–0.80). Our results do not support a substantial effect of vitamin C or E supplement use on overall colorectal cancer mortality.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A. Murtaugh, K.-n. Ma, J. Benson, K. Curtin, B. Caan, and M. L. Slattery Antioxidants, Carotenoids, and Risk of Rectal Cancer Am. J. Epidemiol., January 1, 2004; 159(1): 32 - 41. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. K. Kim, S. Sasazuki, S. Sasaki, S. Okubo, M. Hayashi, and S. Tsugane Effect of Five-Year Supplementation of Vitamin C on Serum Vitamin C Concentration and Consumption of Vegetables and Fruits in Middle-Aged Japanese: A Randomized Controlled Trial J. Am. Coll. Nutr., June 1, 2003; 22(3): 208 - 216. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. L. Neuhouser Dietary Supplement Use by American Women: Challenges in Assessing Patterns of Use, Motives and Costs J. Nutr., June 1, 2003; 133(6): 1992S - 1996. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Foote, S. P. Murphy, L. R. Wilkens, J. H. Hankin, B. E. Henderson, and L. N. Kolonel Factors Associated with Dietary Supplement Use among Healthy Adults of Five Ethnicities: The Multiethnic Cohort Study Am. J. Epidemiol., May 15, 2003; 157(10): 888 - 897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Padayatty, A. Katz, Y. Wang, P. Eck, O. Kwon, J.-H. Lee, S. Chen, C. Corpe, A. Dutta, S. K Dutta, et al. Vitamin C as an Antioxidant: Evaluation of Its Role in Disease Prevention J. Am. Coll. Nutr., February 1, 2003; 22(1): 18 - 35. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J Lenton, A. T Sane, H. Therriault, A. M Cantin, H. Payette, and J R. Wagner Vitamin C augments lymphocyte glutathione in subjects with ascorbate deficiency Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2003; 77(1): 189 - 195. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Wu, W. C. Willett, J. M. Chan, C. S. Fuchs, G. A. Colditz, E. B. Rimm, and E. L. Giovannucci A Prospective Study on Supplemental Vitamin E Intake and Risk of Colon Cancer in Women and Men Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., November 1, 2002; 11(11): 1298 - 1304. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. C. Willett and M. J. Stampfer What Vitamins Should I Be Taking, Doctor? N. Engl. J. Med., December 20, 2001; 345(25): 1819 - 1824. [Full Text] [PDF]