title: Vitamins and lung cancer.
abstract: Several factors are known to promote the development of a lung cancer. Smoking, occupation, environment, chronic bronchitis, and scars in the lung are all risk factors. Many studies have stressed the importance of nutrition, in particular vitamins. Vitamin A is necessary for cell differentiation. Retrospective and prospective studies have proven the inverse relation between provitamin A, beta-carotene, and lung cancer of the squamous and oat cell types. Studies in which beta-carotene or natural vitamin A are supplied to smokers, controls, and patients after resection for lung cancer are in progress. The study of other vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin E has not led to definitive conclusions. The trace element selenium may also exert a beneficial effect.
authors.affiliation: Academic Hospital, Free University, Dept. of Pulmonology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stam
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Strankinga
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fikkert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schrijver
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hulshof
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids