High Dose Folic Acid During Late Pregnancy May Increase Breast Cancer Risk
Posted on: Thursday, 17 February 2005, 03:00 CST
Taking folate supplements during late pregnancy may increase the long-term risk of maternal breast cancer, according to the results of a study published in the British Medical Journal.
But, say the authors, it is entirely possible that this is a chance finding, so further scientific studies are required to examine the association, if there is one, before we reach any conclusions.
The researchers, from Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and the University of Bristol, followed up 2928 women who had taken part in a randomised controlled trial in the 1960s of low and high doses of folate supplementation in pregnancy versus placebo.
These women were randomised to receive folate, 0.2mg daily; folate, 5mg daily; or placebo. Of 210 deaths by the end of September 2002, 40 were attributable to cardiovascular disease, 112 to cancer and 31 to breast cancer.
In the high-dose folate group, all-cause mortality was about 20% higher and breast cancer deaths were twice that in women who did not receive supplements.
By September 2002, 210 of these women had died. Compared with women who had received placebo, all cause mortality in women who had been randomised to high doses of folate was about a fifth greater, and the risk of deaths attributable to breast cancer was doubled.
'It is important that we don't confuse women about the need to take folic acid supplements early in pregnancy,' say the authors.
'Women planning to become pregnant should take folic acid supplements as recommended as there is a considerable difference between the Aberdeen trial and the current guidelines to prospective mothers.' (Charles Deborah et al. Taking folate in pregnancy and risk of maternal breast cancer. British Medical Journal 2004; 329: 13751376).
Copyright TG Scott & Son Ltd. Feb 2005
Source: Community Practitioner
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