SERUM ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS AND RISK OF LUNG AND STOMACH CANCERS IN SHENYANG, CHINA

In a hospital-based case control study, we measured serum concentratio ns of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E for subjects with cancer (58 cases of lung cancer and 22 cases of stomach cancer) and 63 matche d controls in Shenyang, China. Lung cancer patients had significantly (P < 0.01) lower mean serum levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vit amin E than controls, while the mean serum level of vitamin E did not differ between stomach cancer patients and the controls. Lower serum l evels of vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene were associated with a n increased risk of lung cancer. Lower serum levels of vitamin A and P -carotene were associated with a higher risk of stomach cancer, althou gh the number of cases was small. An increased risk of lung cancer ass ociated with lower serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin E was more ev ident among heavy smokers than among non-heavy smokers. (C) 1998 Publi shed by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.