Dietary antioxidant intake in patients at risk for second primary cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze dietary antioxidant intake for head and neck cancer patients at risk for development of second primary cancers.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients underwent three random, unscheduled, 24-hour dietary recalls over a 15-day period within 6 to 60 months after successful treatment for stage I or II oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.


RESULTS
The study sample had a lower mean daily dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and antioxidant nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, and total carotenes than age- and sex-matched historic control subjects (all P <.05 except vitamin A). A positive linear correlation was noted between daily servings of F&V and dietary intake of vitamins A, C, E, and total carotenoids (all P <.05 except vitamin A). Compared to current recommendations, the study sample had lower mean daily dietary intake of vitamins A, C, and E (P =.81,.06, and <.01) and servings of fruits and vegetables (P <.01). When vitamin supplements were included in the analysis, mean daily intake exceeded recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamins A, C, and E (all P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that patients treated for early-stage oral cavity carcinoma, at risk for second primary cancers, have a statistically significant deficiency in dietary (food) sources of antioxidant nutrients when compared with both historic control subjects and current recommendations. Vitamin supplementation significantly exceeded current RDAs. Because increased fruit and vegetable intake, but not vitamin supplementation exceeding RDA, is associated with reduced cancer risk, physicians may consider recommending at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables as an alternative to vitamin supplementation.
Steward
David L
DL
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. David.Steward@uc.edu
Wiener
Frida
F
Gleich
Lyon L
LL
Falciglia
Grace
G
D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins