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Research Highlights
Study Shows Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer
December 17, 2003
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in North America, and identifying important risk factors in people with no symptoms (asymptomatic) can help in the development of risk reduction strategies. A VA prospective, cross-sectional study of 3,121 asymptomatic patients from 13 VA medical centers was conducted to determine risk factors associated with advanced colorectal cancer. All study participants, aged 50 to 75, had undergone a colonoscopy between 1994 and 1997. Complete medical histories and dietary information were obtained for 299 participants with advanced polyps, 30 participants with colon cancer, and 1,441 participants who had no polyps or growths in the colon. Investigators then compared risk factors among the three groups, such as diet, physical activity, alcohol intake, and smoking. Analyses of the data showed significant reductions in relative risk of cancer with increased intake of vitamin D. Total calcium and total folate intake also showed significant risk reduction, but vitamin D dominated both. Participants who consumed more than 645 international units (IUs) of vitamin D daily were 40% less likely to have advanced polyps. Thus, consuming vitamin D plus calcium may be a low-risk preventive strategy for colon cancer. This study also showed that smoking and moderate to heavy alcohol use increased the risk of colon cancer.
Lieberman D, Prindiville S, Weiss D, Willett W (for VA Cooperative Study Group 380). Risk factors for advanced colonic neoplasia and hyperplastic polyps in asymptomatic individuals. JAMA Dec. 10, 2003;290(22):2959-2967.
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