CARET trial subgroup data suggest lung cancer link to alcohol use among smokers.
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
BETA CAROTENE LINK TO LUNG CANCER MAY BE INFLUENCED BY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION among smokers, suggests a new analysis of the Beta Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) published in the Nov. 6 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. CARET, a six-center chemoprevention trial, was halted 21 months early because of interim data showing evidence of no benefit and possible harm in participants taking beta carotene (30 mg) and vitamin A (25,000 IU) daily for an average of four years ("The Tan Sheet" Jan. 22, p. 4). The study found 28% more lung cancers and 17% more deaths in the supplement group compared to the placebo group.