The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7206 p47
13 July 2002

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Oslo 2002 Cancer Congress (www.oslo2002.org)

Folic acid reduces cancer risk

Most adults should be taking a multivitamin containing folic acid to reduce their risk of colon cancer, according to a United States cancer expert.

Professor Walter Willett, Harvard school of public health, says that there is increasing evidence of the benefit of folic acid in reducing risk of colon cancer (and probably other cancers). "Fruit and vegetables are good sources of folic acid but many people do not eat anywhere near enough to reach the recommended daily allowance [RDA]," Professor Willett told the UICC International Cancer Congress in Oslo last week. He emphasised that he was not suggesting high doses, just the RDA.

An overview of studies suggested that potentially modifiable aspects of diet and lifestyle could eliminate 70 per cent of cases of colon cancer. Key factors, in addition to folic acid, were avoiding excess weight, not smoking, taking moderate exercise, consuming less red meat, and avoiding excessive alcohol. "We must take advantage of this knowledge," he said.

Colon cancer incidence has declined in the US, although the population is getting fatter. "Two factors probably account for this decline: red meat consumption has decreased and folic acid intake has increased [in the US flour is now fortified with folic acid]."

Professor Willett added that there was increasingly strong evidence of an association between overweight/obesity and cancer, not only for colon cancer but also for postmenopausal breast cancer, uterine cancer and renal cancer.