Cancer Risk Unaffected by Folic Acid, B Vitamins

CHICAGO—A daily supplementation combination that included folic acid and vitamin B₆ and B₁₂ had no significant effect on the overall risk of cancer, including breast cancer, among women at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study in the Nov. 5 issue of JAMA.

Folate, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂ are thought to play an important role in cancer prevention.

"Background fortification of the food supply with folic acid, a policy that began in the United States in 1998 to reduce risk of neural tube defects, has improved folate status in the general population. Approximately one-third of U.S. adults currently take multivitamin supplements containing folic acid, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂," the authors wrote.

Source: JAMA: Folic Acid, B Vitamins do not Appear to Affect Cancer Risk