Epidemiology of retinoids and cancer
Graham, S.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 73(6): 1423-1428
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 6595450 Document Number: 235435
Investigations in vitro and in vivo suggest that retinoids may decrease the risk of cancer at certain sites. Epidemiological studies by different investigators similarly show less risk with increases in ingestion of vitamin A-containing diets. Those decreases in risk are primarily of the squamous cell types of cancer: lung, larynx, mouth, cervix and bladder cancers. Retinoids, particularly beta -carotene, may have a risk-decreasing function for such sites. There is evidence also that retinoids in certain conditions may increase the risk of prostate cancer and of Hodgkin's disease and leukaemia. It is not an impossibility that, although beta -carotene could lessen risk in most circumstances, in certain other circumstances it could increase risk for different cancers. Thus, more research is necessary, particularly with the carotenoids.