Lycopene and other carotenoid intake in relation to risk of uterine leiomyomata.

Abstract

Carotenoids have antioxidant properties and have been associated with reduced risks of some cancers. We hypothesized that carotenoid intake may reduce the risk of diagnosed uterine leiomyoma (UL). We evaluated the associations between dietary carotenoids and risk of diagnosed UL in 82,512 premenopausal women aged 26-46 years in 1991 in the Nurses' Health Study II over 10 years of follow-up. Diet was assessed every 4 years with a validated food frequency questionnaire, and incidence of UL was assessed biennially by questionnaire. Total lycopene intake was not associated with diagnosed UL risk. Intake of beta-carotene was associated with slightly increased risks of diagnosed UL; this association was restricted to current smokers (for highest vs lowest quintile, relative risk = 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.76; P(trend) = .003). Overall, our findings do not suggest that carotenoids reduce the risk of diagnosed UL. Among current smokers, high intake of beta-carotene may slightly increase risk of diagnosed UL.