Carcinoma of the colon — association with low dietary vitamin A in females: Preliminary communication

Abstract

Seventeen patients with non-metastatic carcinoma of the colon (9 male, 8 female) were compared with age- and sex-matched controls in a study examining the relationship of diet and altered cholesterol metabolism with carcinoma of the colon. Bile acid excretion in the faeces was significantly less in cancer patients (P > 0.001), and a significantly lower intake of retinol (P > 0.01) and vitamin A (P > 0.05) was demonstrated in female cancer patients. There was no difference between patients and controls in hepatic cholesterol enzyme activity or in fasting plasma lipid levels. © 1986, The Royal Society of Medicine. All rights reserved.