Intake of specific carotenoids and flavonoids and the risk of lung cancer in women in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Newly available data of a case‐control study of lung cancer in women in Spain were analyzed to assess the relationship with the intake of specific carotenoids (α‐carotene, β‐carotene, lutein, and lycopene) and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and luteolin). The study included 103 cases and 206 hospital controls, matched by age and residence. Usual food intake was estimated through a food‐frequency questionnaire. With adjustment for smoking habit and vitamin E, vitamin C, and total flavonoid intake, no association was found for the intake of α‐carotene, β‐carotene, or lutein. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for women in the highest fertile of lycopene intake with respect to the lowest was 0.56 (0.26–1.24), with p for trend = 0.15. A nonsignificant association was observed for the highest vs. lowest tertile intake of kaempferol (odds ratio = 0.51, 95% confidence interval = 0.22–1.17), with p for trend = 0.10, after adjustment for smoking and vitamin E, vitamin C, and total carotenoid intake. No protective effect was observed for quercetin or luteolin or for total flavonoid intake.