Prospective study of dietary supplements, macronutrients, micronutrients, and risk of bladder cancer in US men

Data derived from laboratory investigations suggest that a number of dietar y variables may contribute to bladder carcinogenesis. Although bladder canc er is the fourth leading cause of cancer in men in the United States, dieta ry studies are few. The authors examined the relations between intakes of m acro- and micronutrients and the risk of bladder cancer among men in the pr ospective Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Each participant completed a 131-item food frequency questionnaire in 1986 and in 1990, from which nut rient intakes were calculated. During 12 years of follow-up, 320 cases of b ladder cancer were diagnosed, No association was observed for total caloric or macronutrient intake and bladder cancer risk. Similarly, we found no re lation for dietary intake of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phospho rus, iron, or water-soluble vitamins and bladder cancer risk. Total vitamin E intake and vitamin E supplements were inversely associated with risk. in addition, a dose-response relation was observed for duration of vitamin E supplement use. A suggestive inverse association was seen with dose of vita min C supplement use. More studies are needed to determine the role of vita mins E and C supplement intake in bladder carcinogenesis.