The association between vitamin C and breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #ascorbic-acid #colorectal-neoplasms #prostatic-neoplasms #male

The association between vitamin C and breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Arshadi et al., 2025 | Clin Nutr ESPEN | Meta Analysis

Citation

Arshadi Maedeh, Ghazal Nima, ... Khodamoradi Farzad. The association between vitamin C and breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2025-Feb;65:400-407. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.12.001

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For a comprehensive evaluation and due to the inconsistent results of previous studies, we performed this meta-analysis with the aim of vitamin C effect on breast cancer and prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched to identify studies on the association between vitamin C and breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer through September 11, 2023. The pooled RR and the 95 % confidence intervals were used to measure the association between vitamin C and breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer by assuming a random effects meta-analytic model. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for quality appraisal. RESULTS: A total of 69 studies were included. The pooled RR for the association between vitamin C (dietary) and breast cancer in the cohort study was 0.99 [95 % CI: 0.95, 1.03], but the pooled RR in the case-control study was 0.72 [95 % CI: 0.60, 0.85]. No association was found between vitamin E (supplemental, total intake) and breast cancer in studies. The pooled RR for the association between vitamin C (dietary) and prostate cancer was 0.88 [95 % CI: 0.77, 1.00], which represents a decrease in prostate cancer. No association was found between vitamin C (supplemental) and prostate cancer in studies. The pooled RR for the association between vitamin C (dietary) and colorectal cancer was 0.55 [95 % CI: 0.42, 0.73], which represents a decrease in colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows an inverse significant relationship between vitamin C (dietary) and breast cancer in the case-control study. Also between vitamin C (dietary) and prostate cancer and colorectal cancer in studies, which represents a decrease in cancers.

Key Findings

A total of 69 studies were included. The pooled RR for the association between vitamin C (dietary) and breast cancer in the cohort study was 0.99 [95 % CI: 0.95, 1.03], but the pooled RR in the case-control study was 0.72 [95 % CI: 0.60, 0.85]. No association was found between vitamin E (supplemental, total intake) and breast cancer in studies. The pooled RR for the association between vitamin C (dietary) and prostate cancer was 0.88 [95 % CI: 0.77, 1.00], which represents a decrease in prostate

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 69
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Colorectal Neoplasms
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Male
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Female
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: vitamin-c

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09