[Vitamins and cancer: results of a Basel study]

Nutrition surveys suggest an association between the low intake of vitamin A, beta-carotene and cancer death. The prospective Basel study included as a part of its third investigation (1971-1973) the immediate analysis of all plasma vitamins. 2974 men were evaluated and all cancer deaths registered in a first phase until 1980 (n = 102) and in a second period until 1985 (total n = 204). In the completely analyzed seven years follow up we found a strong inverse relationship for beta-carotene and all cancers, lung cancer and stomach cancer (p less than .01). Vitamin A (p less than .01) and vitamin C (p less than .05) were both on the average lower in subsequent stomach cancer death cases compared to non cases. Vitamin E was lower in death by all cancers and by stomach cancer (p less than .05). The first results of the twelve years follow up confirm the significant association for beta-carotene, vitamin A and C and cancer death.