Association between Breast Cancer and Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium Levels : Results of a Case-control Study in India

In women, cancer of the breast is generally the most prevalent neoplasm and cause of cancer death. Though a ‍large number of women are affected with breast cancer, very few studies have been undertaken in India on the ‍association between micronutrients and the risk of breast cancer. We conducted a hospital based case- control study ‍to examine the associations of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium with breast cancer. One hundred and sixty breast ‍cancer patients and an equal number of normal healthy individuals constituted the study population. Venous blood ‍was collected from the cases and controls for estimation of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium utilizing standard ‍procedures. Univariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals. ‍The mean vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium levels were lower in patients as compared to the controls. There was a ‍84% and 77% lower risk of breast cancer if the levels of vitamin C and vitamin E were increased by 1 unit, respectively. ‍Similarly, there was a 7% lower risk of breast cancer if the level of selenium was increased by 1 unit. The results of ‍the present study thus indicated a strong association of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium with breast cancer in the ‍Indian population. ‍