Supplemental B-Vitamins and Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers in the Women's Health Initiative

Nutr Cancer. 2023;75(4):1103-1108. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2023.2186258. Epub 2023 Mar 9.

Abstract

B-vitamins contribute to DNA synthesis, maintenance, and regulation. Few studies have examined associations of supplemental sources of B-vitamins with the incidence of upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers [including gastric (GCA) and esophageal (ECA) cancers]; the only prior study to comprehensively examine such intakes reported potential elevated risks of ECA. We examined 159,401 postmenopausal women, ages 50-79 years at baseline, including 302 incident GCA and 183 incident ECA cases, over 19 years of follow-up within the Women's Health Initiative observational study and clinic trials. Adjusted Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations of supplemental B-vitamins [riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), or cobalamin (B12)] with GCA and ECA risk, respectively. Although HRs were generally below 1.0, we observed no statistically significant associations between supplemental intakes of any of the evaluated B-vitamins with the risk of GCA or ECA. As the first prospective study to comprehensively assess these associations, our findings do not corroborate prior research indicating potential harm from supplemental B-vitamin intake for upper GI cancer risk. This study adds evidence that supplemental intakes of B-vitamins may be used by postmenopausal women without regard to their relationship with upper GI cancer risk.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Folic Acid
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Vitamin B 6
  • Vitamin B Complex*
  • Women's Health

Substances

  • Vitamin B 6
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Folic Acid
  • Vitamin B 12