Important info about beta carotene and breast cancer survivors

The Life After Cancer Epidemiology (LACE) study published a report in the Sept 2011 edition of the journal Cancer.  The study found that women who were survivors of early-stage breast cancer that consistently took supplemental vitamin c and vitamin e (6-7 days per week) had a reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence and lower risk of all cause mortality.   Whereas women who were survivors of early-stage breast cancer that took supplemental carotenoids had an almost 2 fold increased risk of all cause mortality.  The primary supplemental carotenoid is beta carotene so, with this information, it is important for women who are breast cancer survivors to ensure they are not taking supplemental beta carotene, including in their multivitamin.  There has been no link found between eating a diet rich in beta carotene (from yellow/green/red/orange vegetables and fruits) and an increased risk of death or cancer recurrence.