Antioxidants and basal cell carcinoma of the skin: a nested case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and antioxidant nutrients, specifically carotenoids, vitamin E and selenium.


METHODS
The Nambour Skin Cancer Study is an ongoing, community-based study of randomly selected adult residents of a township in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia. Using a nested case-control design, incident cases of BCC (n=90) were compared with age and sex matched controls (n=90). Dietary exposure was measured using food frequency questionnaire estimates of intake as well as serum biomarkers. Other determinants of skin cancer including sun exposure were also considered. Dietary intakes were adjusted for energy intake, and serum carotenoids and vitamin E were adjusted for serum cholesterol. Odds ratios were calculated across quartiles of dietary intake and serum biomarkers and linear trends were assessed using logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex and supplement use.


CONCLUSIONS
In this prospective study no significant associations were found between BCC and carotenoids, vitamin E or selenium, as measured by serum biomarkers or dietary intake, although there was a suggestion of a positive association with lutein intake.
School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, 4029, Australia. sarah.mcnaughton@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk
Sarah A
SA
McNaughton
Geoffrey C
GC
Marks
Philip
P
Gaffney
Gail
G
Williams
Adele C
AC
Green
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D012643:Selenium