Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (92)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Keamey, J.
Right arrow Articles by Willett, W. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Keamey, J.
Right arrow Articles by Willett, W. C.
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 143, No. 9: 907-917
Copyright © 1996 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health


research-article

Calcium, Vitamin D, and Dairy Foods and the Occurrence of Colon Cancer in Men

John Keamey1, Edward Giovannucci1,2,, Eric B. Rimm1,3, Alberto Ascherio1,3, Meir J. Stampfer1,2,3, Graham A. Colditz2,3, Alvin Wing3, Ellen Kampman4 and Walter C. Willett1,2,3

1Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health Boston, MA
2Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA
3Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health Boston, MA
4Department of Human Nutrition, TNO Nutrition and Food Research Zeist, Netherlands

Reprint requests to Dr. Edward Giovannucci, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

To examine the associations between intakes of calcium, vitamin D, and dairy foods and the risk of colon cancer, the authors analyzed data from a prospective study of 47,935 US male health professionals, 40–75 years of age and free of cancer in 1986. Within this cohort, 203 new cases of colon cancer were documented between 1986 and 1992. After adjusting for age and total energy intake, the authors found that the intake of calcium from foods and supplements was inversely associated with colon cancer risk (relative risk (RR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39–0.87 between high and low intakes of calcium). However, after adjusting for confounding variables, they found that the trend was no longer statistically significant (p = 0.22), and the relative risk for the highest quintile group of intake was attenuated: 0.75 (95% CI 0.48–1.15). Similar results were observed for total vitamin D intake; the age- and energy-adjusted relative risk was 0.54 (95% CI 0.34–0.85) for the highest versus lowest quintile group, and this was attenuated in the multivarlate model (RR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.42–1.05). The inverse association was weaker for dietary vitamin D (RR for highest vs. lowest quintile = 0.88, 95% CI 0.54–1.42) and strongest for vitamin D arising from vitamin supplements (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.22–1.02). Thus, it is possible that other components of multivitamin use rather than vitamin D accounted for the reduction in risk. Consumption of milk and fermented dairy products was not significantly associated with the risk of colon cancer individuals consuming two or more glasses of "whole" or skim milk per day had a relative risk of 1.09 (95% CI 0.69–1.72), compared with those who consumed "whole" or skim milk less than once a month. These prospective data do not support the hypothesis that calcium intake is strongly protective against colon cancer risk, although a modest association cannot be excluded. Am J Epidemiol 1996;143:907–17.

calcium; colonic neoplasms; dairy products; men; vitamin D


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Nephrol Dial TransplantHome page
J. Almirall, M. Vaqueiro, M. L. Bare, and E. Anton
Association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and high arterial blood pressure in the elderly
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., September 11, 2009; (2009) gfp470v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.Home page
L. M. Dong, C. M. Ulrich, L. Hsu, D. J. Duggan, D. S. Benitez, E. White, M. L. Slattery, F. M. Farin, K. W. Makar, C. S. Carlson, et al.
Vitamin D Related Genes, CYP24A1 and CYP27B1, and Colon Cancer Risk
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2009; 18(9): 2540 - 2548.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
D. Bikle
Nonclassic Actions of Vitamin D
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2009; 94(1): 26 - 34.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
J. Ishihara, M. Inoue, M. Iwasaki, S. Sasazuki, and S. Tsugane
Dietary calcium, vitamin D, and the risk of colorectal cancer
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2008; 88(6): 1576 - 1583.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.Home page
L. M. Dong, C. M. Ulrich, L. Hsu, D. J. Duggan, D. S. Benitez, E. White, M. L. Slattery, B. J. Caan, J. D. Potter, and U. Peters
Genetic Variation in Calcium-Sensing Receptor and Risk for Colon Cancer
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., October 1, 2008; 17(10): 2755 - 2765.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JCOHome page
C. M. Ulrich and R. S. Holmes
Shedding Light on Colorectal Cancer Prognosis: Vitamin D and Beyond
J. Clin. Oncol., June 20, 2008; 26(18): 2937 - 2939.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am J EpidemiolHome page
A. Geelen, J. M. Schouten, C. Kamphuis, B. E. Stam, J. Burema, J. M. S. Renkema, E.-J. Bakker, P. van't Veer, and E. Kampman
Fish Consumption, n-3 Fatty Acids, and Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Am. J. Epidemiol., November 15, 2007; 166(10): 1116 - 1125.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am J EpidemiolHome page
K. Oh, W. C. Willett, K. Wu, C. S. Fuchs, and E. L. Giovannucci
Calcium and Vitamin D Intakes in Relation to Risk of Distal Colorectal Adenoma in Women
Am. J. Epidemiol., May 15, 2007; 165(10): 1178 - 1186.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JNCI J Natl Cancer InstHome page
M. V. Grau, J. A. Baron, R. S. Sandler, K. Wallace, R. W. Haile, T. R. Church, G. J. Beck, R. W. Summers, E. L. Barry, B. F. Cole, et al.
Prolonged Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Risk of Colorectal Adenomas in a Randomized Trial
J Natl Cancer Inst, January 17, 2007; 99(2): 129 - 136.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
H. A Bischoff-Ferrari, E. Giovannucci, W. C Willett, T. Dietrich, and B. Dawson-Hughes
Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2006; 84(1): 18 - 28.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
AJPHHome page
C. F. Garland, F. C. Garland, E. D. Gorham, M. Lipkin, H. Newmark, S. B. Mohr, and M. F. Holick
The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention
Am J Public Health, February 1, 2006; 96(2): 252 - 261.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GutHome page
H Rasinpera, C Forsblom, N S Enattah, P Halonen, K Salo, M Victorzon, J-P Mecklin, H Jarvinen, S Enholm, G Sellick, et al.
The C/C-13910 genotype of adult-type hypolactasia is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in the Finnish population
Gut, May 1, 2005; 54(5): 643 - 647.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am J EpidemiolHome page
J. Lin, S. M. Zhang, N. R. Cook, J. E. Manson, I-M. Lee, and J. E. Buring
Intakes of Calcium and Vitamin D and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Women
Am. J. Epidemiol., April 15, 2005; 161(8): 755 - 764.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
A. P. B. Dackiw, S. Ezzat, P. Huang, W. Liu, and S. L. Asa
Vitamin D3 Administration Induces Nuclear p27 Accumulation, Restores Differentiation, and Reduces Tumor Burden in a Mouse Model of Metastatic Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Endocrinology, December 1, 2004; 145(12): 5840 - 5846.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
D. D. Bikle
Vitamin D and Skin Cancer
J. Nutr., December 1, 2004; 134(12): 3472S - 3478S.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
U. Peters, N. Chatterjee, K. A McGlynn, R. E Schoen, T. R Church, R. S Bresalier, M. M Gaudet, A. Flood, A. Schatzkin, and R. B Hayes
Calcium intake and colorectal adenoma in a US colorectal cancer early detection program
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2004; 80(5): 1358 - 1365.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.Home page
D. Feskanich, J. Ma, C. S. Fuchs, G. J. Kirkner, S. E. Hankinson, B. W. Hollis, and E. L. Giovannucci
Plasma Vitamin D Metabolites and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Women
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2004; 13(9): 1502 - 1508.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JNCI J Natl Cancer InstHome page
E. Cho, S. A. Smith-Warner, D. Spiegelman, W. L. Beeson, P. A. van den Brandt, G. A. Colditz, A. R. Folsom, G. E. Fraser, J. L. Freudenheim, E. Giovannucci, et al.
Dairy Foods, Calcium, and Colorectal Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of 10 Cohort Studies
J Natl Cancer Inst, July 7, 2004; 96(13): 1015 - 1022.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JNCI J Natl Cancer InstHome page
K. Wallace, J. A. Baron, B. F. Cole, R. S. Sandler, M. R. Karagas, M. A. Beach, R. W. Haile, C. A. Burke, L. H. Pearson, J. S. Mandel, et al.
Effect of Calcium Supplementation on the Risk of Large Bowel Polyps
J Natl Cancer Inst, June 16, 2004; 96(12): 921 - 925.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
V. Mai and J. G. Morris Jr.
Colonic Bacterial Flora: Changing Understandings in the Molecular Age
J. Nutr., February 1, 2004; 134(2): 459 - 464.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.Home page
S. M. Boyapati, R. M. Bostick, K. A. McGlynn, M. F. Fina, W. M. Roufail, K. R. Geisinger, M. Wargovich, A. Coker, and J. R. Hebert
Calcium, Vitamin D, and Risk for Colorectal Adenoma: Dependency on Vitamin D Receptor BsmI Polymorphism and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use?
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., July 1, 2003; 12(7): 631 - 637.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JNCI J Natl Cancer InstHome page
M.-H. Shin, M. D. Holmes, S. E. Hankinson, K. Wu, G. A. Colditz, and W. C. Willett
Intake of Dairy Products, Calcium, and Vitamin D and Risk of Breast Cancer
J Natl Cancer Inst, September 4, 2002; 94(17): 1301 - 1310.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Occup. Environ. Med.Home page
D M Freedman, M Dosemeci, and K McGlynn
Sunlight and mortality from breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, and non-melanoma skin cancer: a composite death certificate based case-control study
Occup. Environ. Med., April 1, 2002; 59(4): 257 - 262.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JNCI J Natl Cancer InstHome page
K. Wu, W. C. Willett, C. S. Fuchs, G. A. Colditz, and E. L. Giovannucci
Calcium Intake and Risk of Colon Cancer in Women and Men
J Natl Cancer Inst, March 20, 2002; 94(6): 437 - 446.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.Home page
U. Peters, K. A. McGlynn, N. Chatterjee, E. Gunter, M. Garcia-Closas, N. Rothman, and R. Sinha
Vitamin D, Calcium, and Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism in Colorectal Adenomas
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2001; 10(12): 1267 - 1274.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JNCI J Natl Cancer InstHome page
J. Ma, E. Giovannucci, M. Pollak, J. M. Chan, J. M. Gaziano, W. Willett, and M. J. Stampfer
Milk Intake, Circulating Levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I, and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Men
J Natl Cancer Inst, September 5, 2001; 93(17): 1330 - 1336.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
I. Wollowski, G. Rechkemmer, and B. L Pool-Zobel
Protective role of probiotics and prebiotics in colon cancer
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2001; 73(2): 451S - 455.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am J EpidemiolHome page
D. S. Michaud, D. Spiegelman, S. K. Clinton, E. B. Rimm, W. C. Willett, and E. Giovannucci
Prospective Study of Dietary Supplements, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Risk of Bladder Cancer in US Men
Am. J. Epidemiol., December 15, 2000; 152(12): 1145 - 1153.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
J.A. Baron, M. Beach, J.S. Mandel, R.U. van Stolk, R.W. Haile, R.S. Sandler, R. Rothstein, R.W. Summers, D.C. Snover, G.J. Beck, et al.
Calcium Supplements for the Prevention of Colorectal Adenomas
N. Engl. J. Med., January 14, 1999; 340(2): 101 - 107.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
I. Wollowski, S.-T. Ji, A. T. Bakalinsky, C. Neudecker, and B. L. Pool-Zobel
Bacteria Used for the Production of Yogurt Inactivate Carcinogens and Prevent DNA Damage in the Colon of Rats
J. Nutr., January 1, 1999; 129(1): 77 - 82.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Tobacco ControlHome page
R. H Sansores, F. R Valdelamar, F. L Giraldo, A. Ramirez-Venegas, and J. Villalba-Caloca
Impact of a gallery of posters on quitting smoking
Tob. Control, December 1, 1998; 7(4): 338 - 339.
[Full Text]



Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.