Intake of vitamin E (2-R isomers of alpha-tocopherol) and gamma-tocopherol in a case-control study and bladder cancer risk: Abstract No. 3921 Consuming vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) lowers the risk of bladder cancer, according to the findings of a case-control study led by Xifeng Wu, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in collaboration with researchers at Texas Woman’s University, both in Houston. M.D. Anderson research dietician Ladia M. Hernandez, M.S., R.D., L.D., also a doctoral student at Texas Woman’s University; Professor John D. Radcliffe, Ph.D., M.Sc., R.D., of Texas Woman’s University; and several epidemiologists at M.D. Anderson evaluated the association between intake of vitamin E (2-R isomers ofalpha-tocopherol) from dietary sources only, from diet and supplements combined, and from dietary gamma-tocopherol. Personal interviews were conducted with 468 bladder cancer cases and 534 healthy, cancer-free controls, using a modified version of the National Cancer Institute’s Health Habits History Questionnaire. The questionnaire was modified to incorporate supplements use and ethnic dishes commonly consumed in the Houston area. Radcliffe developed a database with values assigned to the tocopherol content of foods, based on published values and values for such foods as cornbread, French fries and tomatillos, determined specifically for the study. He found almonds, spinach, mustard greens, green and red peppers and sunflower seeds to be excellent sources of alpha-tocopherol. “High intake of vitamin E from dietary sources alone was associated with a 42 percent reduced risk of bladder cancer, whereas high intake of vitamin E from dietary sources and supplements combined reduced the risk by 44 percent,” Hernandez reported. As NCI’s Weinstein also pointed out, gamma-tocopherol is the most common tocopherol in the U.S. diet. Even so, its effect on cancer risk had never before been tested in a case-control study. Hernandez and her colleagues found gamma-tocopherol to have no protective effect against bladder cancer. Wu noted that the rate of bladder cancer is four times higher among men generally, and one-and-a-half times higher in whites. Bladder cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men. More than 55,000 incidents were reported last year; during the same time, 12,500 bladder cancer-related deaths occurred. AACR, 2004 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.