Dietary Folate May Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk
NEW YORK - The results of a study conducted in Sweden indicate that high levels of folate obtained from food sources may protect against ovarian cancer. The benefits were found to be primarily among women who consumed at least two drinks of alcohol per week.
Previous reports have shown that dietary levels of folate, a B vitamin also known as folic acid, are inversely related to the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. In contrast, few studies have looked at the association between folate intake and ovarian cancer risk.
To investigate, Dr. Alicja Wolk, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and colleagues analyzed data from a population-based group of more than 60,000 women living in Sweden. The subjects ranged in age from 38 to 76 years and all were cancer-free at study enrollment, between 1987 and 1990.
By follow-up in mid-2003, a total of 266 women had developed ovarian cancer, the researchers report in the current issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Overall, women with the highest level of folate in their diet (at least 204 micrograms/day) were 33 percent less likely to develop ovarian cancer than those with the lowest levels (less than 155 micrograms/day).
Among women who consumed more than about two drinks per day, the risk reduction seen with high folate intake was much higher -74 percent.
In contrast, high folate intake provided no protection against ovarian cancer in women who consumed lesser amounts of alcohol, the investigators point out.
"Additional studies are needed to determine the generalizability of our results to other populations that have higher folate intakes and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high doses of folate from supplements with respect to cancer," the authors conclude.
Story Date: 5/3/2004
� Reuters News Service 2003
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