Dietary Intake of Folate, B-Vitamins and Methionine and Breast Cancer Risk among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women

Abstract

BackgroundLow dietary folate intake is associated with several neoplasias, but reports are inconsistent for breast cancer. Additionally, the association of folate with breast cancer estrogen receptor (ER) status is not well established.ObjectiveTo determine if dietary intakes of folate, B-vitamins (B2, B6, B12) and methionine are associated with breast cancer risk and ER status in Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White women in the southwestern US.Materials and MethodsPrimary breast cancer cases (n = 2,325) in the 4-Corners region (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah), diagnosed between October 1999 and May 2004, were identified through state cancer registries. Controls (n = 2,525) were frequency-matched by ethnicity and age (±5 years). Dietary intake, physical activity and other exposures were assessed using in-person interviews. Risk was assessed through multivariable and multinomial logistic regression with adjustment for relevant covariates.ResultWhile there was no overall association with breast cancer, the highest quartile of folate intake was marginally inversely associated with ER− breast cancer (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.50, 95%CI 0.25–1.00, p for trend = 0.07). Vitamin B12 intake was inversely associated with breast cancer also (OR = 0.73, 95%CI 0.53–1.00, p for trend = 0.06), particularly for the highest quartile of ER+ breast cancer (OR = 0.67, 95%CI 0.46–0.99, p for trend = 0.06), among NHW women (OR = 0.49, 95%CI 0.29–0.81, p for trend = 0.01) and invasive breast cancer (OR = 0.63; 95%CI: 0.42, 0.93, P trend = 0.01). Methionine intake was also inversely associated with ER+ breast cancer (OR for 4th quartile = 0.83, 95%CI 0.66–1.03, p for trend = 0.04), primarily among Hispanic women (OR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.47–1.06, and P for trend = 0.02).ConclusionHigher intake of folate is marginally associated with a lower risk for ER− breast cancer, and higher intakes of vitamin B-12 and methionine are marginally associated with a lower risk of ER+ breast cancer.

Association between dietary intake of folate and MTHFR and MTR genotype with risk of breast cancer

“…It has been reported that high intake of folate is beneficial to women who are deficient in nutrient gain. Several previous studies have reported inconsistent results for folate intake and breast cancer risk (Ma et al, 2009;Wu et al, 2012;Tavani et al, 2012;Islam et al, 2013;Qin et al, 2013; Yang et al, 2013). In our study, we reported that folate intake does not play a protective role in breast cancer risk in Chinese population.…”

Association between polymorphisms in the thymidylate synthase gene and risk of breast cancer in a Mexican population

“…Genetic variations in enzymes involved in one-carbon metabolism are good candidates for examining the impact of their effects and interactions on BC risk. Epidemiological evidence suggests that the risk of BC may be reduced by increasing the consumption of folate and related B vitamins (Zhang et al, 2011;Yang et al, 2013). In the present study, we investigated whether the TSER and TS 3'-UTR polymorphisms in the TS gene, a molecule that plays a key role in DNA synthesis, are associated with the risk of BC development.…”

Association of dietary intake of folate and MTHFR genotype with breast cancer risk

“…Low dietary folate intake has been associated with risk of various cancers, such as colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and gastric cancer (Bassett et al, 2013;Lin et al, 2013;Collin, 2013;Gao et al, 2013). Recently, several studies reported a protective effect of folate intake on breast cancer risk Yang et al, 2013;Islam et al, 2013). However, evidence from two recent studies have indicated an inverse association (Ericson et al, 2007;Maruti et al, 2009a), and some other studies have shown that the reduced risk only exists in certain populations, such as women with high levels of alcohol intake or premenopausal Chinese women (Levi et al, 2001;Shrubsole et al, 2011).…”