The National Cancer Institute expects approximately 207,000 women to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2010, with incident rates reaching one in eight. With such alarming statistics, many women are wondering if they should consider taking a vitamin supplement such as folic acid for the role it may play in cancer prevention. But the answer is much more complicated than a simple yes or no. Consult your health-care provider concerning folic acid as a supplement for cancer prevention.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is the synthetic or manufactured form of the B vitamin folate. Folate occurs naturally in food sources such as dark green leafy vegetables and beans. It has long been recommended for women who want to become pregnant because it significantly reduces neural tube defects in babies. Folic acid is necessary for the synthesis of the adenine and thymine acids, which make up our DNA, playing a crucial role in cell growth and DNA replication. It also helps your body metabolize amino acids found in animal proteins. As of 1998, the Food and Drug Administration has required all enriched-grain products such as cereals to be fortified with folic acid.
Effects
A cancerous growth is caused by uncontrolled cell division. These cells can spread to other areas of the body through your bloodstream or lymphatic system. Because cancer is thought to occur when your DNA is damaged beyond the body's ability to repair it --- thus causing mutations--- researchers have wondered if adequate folate intake might affect DNA repair. According to an overview of folic acid conducted by Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, studies have found a low folate status is associated with many types of cancer, including those of the breast. Consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables per day has long been linked to a decreased incidence of cancer, as both foods are good sources of folate.
Significance
Folate does show some promise in reducing the risk of breast cancer in women who drink alcohol, a known risk factor for developing the disease. In summarizing a 2005 Australian study published in the "British Journal of Medicine," the American Institute for Cancer Research reported women who drank an average of three drinks a day and consumed 200 micrograms of folate or less had double the risk for breast cancer than those women who did not drink alcohol. Conversely, when folate intake was increased to 400 micrograms, the participants had an equal risk of developing the disease as their nondrinking counterparts. In other words, a higher folate intake seems to mitigate the effects of excess alcohol consumption in terms of breast cancer risk.
Warning
Beth Szuck, a registered dietitian with Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's Breast Health Center, urges women to try to meet nutritional requirements through diet because, "in some cases, it's been reported that folic acid can actually accelerate the cancer problem." The American Institute for Cancer Research calls it the folate paradox. On the one hand, folate helps DNA replicate normally. But if there are cancer cells present in the body growing at a faster rate than healthy cells, they also need folate to multiply. Taking a supplement in this case could accelerate cancer cells. Therefore, if you're thinking about taking folic acid, you should first consult with your doctor. The research on the effectiveness of folic acid in cancer prevention is ongoing. The results have been mixed.
Considerations
Dietitian Beth Szuck encourages women to meet their folate requirement, approximately 400 micrograms per day, through a multitude of food sources. Szuck says: "Folate is found in vegetables, fruit, grains, organ meats and legumes." For example, 1 cup of broccoli or spinach would contain between 100 to 200 micrograms of folate. If you want information about adding more folate to your diet, consider talking with a dietitian.
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