Vitamins and minerals are types of micronutrients that help the body function properly. But could taking too much of certain types of vitamins have a negative effect? A recent study in Sweden identified a possible connection between vitamin C and E supplements and faster growth of lung cancer cells. Meanwhile, a 2017 study linked vitamin B6 and B12 supplements to an increased risk of lung cancer in middle-aged and older men, but not in women.
So, do these studies mean that people should not take vitamin supplements? The expert oncologists and hematologists of Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) provide some helpful background and practical insights into these studies and into risk for lung cancer overall.
The American Cancer Society reports that men have about a 1 in 16 lifetime chance of developing lung cancer, while the chances for women are 1 in 17. Those numbers encompass smokers and non-smokers alike; the risk for smokers is much higher. For reasons that aren’t well understood, Black men have about a 12% greater risk than white men of developing lung cancer, while Black women have a 16% lower risk than white women. The American Cancer Society estimates that roughly 234,580 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024.
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute, a medical university in Sweden, found that certain antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, help stabilize a protein known as BTB domain and CNC homolog 1 (BACH1). When this protein is activated, it helps new blood vessels form. Previously, researchers assumed that antioxidants such as Vitamin C had a protective effect, but this study found that they may encourage tumor growth by supporting the development of new blood vessels in and around tumors. The findings were published in August 2023 in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
The researchers noted that normal levels of Vitamin C and E, which are found in many foods, are not a cause for concern. However, they added, patients who have other risk factors for lung cancer should consider avoiding dietary supplements that are high in Vitamin C or E.
As noted, an earlier study reported an association between vitamin B6 and B12 supplements and increased risk for lung cancer in certain people. The 2017 study analyzed data on 77,118 people who participated in the Vitamin and Lifestyle (VITAL) research initiative, which was designed specifically to examine possible links between supplement use and cancer risk. The people studied were 50 to 76 years of age and were recruited for the study between October 2000 and December 2002. Eight hundred and eight of those people developed lung cancer.
Researchers looked at study participants’ use of individual vitamin supplements and multivitamin supplements over the prior 10 years to identify differences between the people who developed lung cancer and those who did not. They found no link between supplemental B vitamins and lung cancer risk in women. However, they found that men who took vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 as individual supplements had a 30% to 40% increased risk for lung cancer relative to those who did not take those individual supplements. Interestingly, there was no increased risk seen for men who took multivitamin supplements that contained vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.
So, what is the average person to make of all this?
First, it is important to note that the question of whether vitamin supplements increase lung cancer risk has been debated for a long time, with studies of varying size and degrees of rigor providing varying findings. Research into this area is ongoing and may eventually yield more-definitive answers.
Second, these findings underscore the importance of talking with your primary care provider or – if you are currently being treated for lung cancer or have a history of the disease – your oncologist before starting any vitamin, herbal preparation, or other supplement, no matter how “natural” or “benign” it is advertised to be.
Third, while researchers continue to explore questions regarding vitamin supplements and a potential increased risk of lung cancer, several other risk factors for the disease are well known and firmly established. Better yet, many of them can be avoided or otherwise addressed, as discussed below. First, however, let’s briefly review the two main types of lung cancer.
BACH1 protein is linked to tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer. The two main types of lung cancer are NSCLC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
SCLC is a fast-growing cancer and spreads (or “metastasizes”) more quickly than NSCLC. Types of SCLC include:
The most common form of treatment for SCLC is chemotherapy, which an oncologist may recommend in combination with radiation therapy.
By contrast, NSCLC often grows slowly and is less likely to spread to other parts of the body in its early stages. The three main types of NSCLC are:
When NSCLC hasn’t spread beyond the lungs, the first line of treatment usually is surgery. Some patients have radiation therapy before surgery (known as “neoadjuvant therapy”) to shrink the size of lung tumors.
While lung cancer affects patients from all walks of life, certain individuals are more at risk than others. Risk factors and causes of lung cancer can include:
People can take several steps to decrease the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
If you smoke, by far the most important preventive measure you can take is to stop. Quitting smoking at any time can help reduce your risk of developing lung cancer, regardless of how long you have smoked or whether you use cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe.
A primary care provider can connect you with smoking cessation resources. The American Lung Association and American Cancer Society also offer online tools and resources to help you become – and stay – smoke-free. Additionally, smartphone apps such as QuitNow, quitSTART, and Smoke Free can help you resist nicotine urges on a day-by-day basis.
There are numerous other ways to reduce your lung cancer risk, such as:
Patients who are grappling with a lung cancer diagnosis can find compassionate, comprehensive care at RCCA.
RCCA offers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and other cutting-edge, evidence-based cancer treatments at 22 community-based locations throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area. RCCA oncologists and hematologists see more than 26,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 245,000 established patients, collaborating closely with their patients’ other physicians.
In addition, RCCA offers patients access to clinical trials, studies that may connect qualifying patients with potentially effective emerging treatment options. If you or a loved one has a cancer diagnosis, request an appointment today to learn about your treatment options.
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.
With care centers in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts and the Washington, D.C., area, thousands of patients each year have come to rely on the expertise, dedication and compassion of Regional Cancer Care Associates.
More than 80 medical oncologists and hematologists affiliated with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) – one of the nation’s largest networks of oncology specialists — are on the frontlines of the fight against cancer in New Jersey, providing care to well over 100,000 people each year in 19 community-based practices across the Garden State.
The American Cancer Society will host its 43rd annual Diamond Ball Gala on November 24, 2024, at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, NJ.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
