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Fruit, vegetable, vitamin A intakes, and prostate cancer risk

Abstract

Prostate cancer risk was examined in relation to intakes of fruit, vegetables, β-carotene and retinol. Subjects were a cohort of 1985 men previously to asbestos who participated in a cancer prevention programme of β-carotene and retinol supplements that commenced in July 1990. Diet was assessed at entry to the programme. Ninety-seven cases of prostate cancer were identified during follow-up until the end of 2004. A decreased prostate cancer risk was observed with increasing intakes of vitamin C-rich vegetables, including bell peppers and broccoli. Fruit, other vegetables and vitamin A intakes did not appear to be strong factors in the development of prostate cancer in this study.

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Acknowledgements

Funds for this study were provided by the Western Australian (WA) Cancer Council, the WA Department of Health, the WA Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Commission, Iain and Penny MacGregor, and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. We are grateful for research assistance provided by Nola Olsen, Lynne Defrenne, Jan Sleith, Naomi Hammond and Barbara Telfer, and data management provided by Philip Etherington.

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Correspondence to G L Ambrosini.

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Ambrosini, G., de Klerk, N., Fritschi, L. et al. Fruit, vegetable, vitamin A intakes, and prostate cancer risk. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 11, 61–66 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500979

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500979

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