Recent Folate Study Attributed to Chance
A recent study in the British Medical Journal suggests taking folate supplements during pregnancy may increase a mother's risk for breast cancer. However, all parties involved in the research emphasize this finding is likely due to chance.
English researchers from Aberdeen and Bristol studied about 3,000 pregnant women enrolled in a trial of folate supplementation in the 1960s. The women received varying daily doses of folate or placebo. By the end of September 2002, 210 women had died, with 40 deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease, 112 to cancer, and 31 to breast cancer. The women who had taken high doses of supplements were twice as likely to have a risk of death attributable to breast cancer.
But, the study authors stress these findings are preliminary and are probably due to chance. Researchers conclude:
"It is important we don't confuse women about the need to take folic acid supplements early in pregnancy. Women planning to become pregnant should take folic acid supplements as recommended, as there is a considerable difference between the Aberdeen trial and current guidelines to prospective mothers."
Public health experts from the United States also say the most likely explanation for the results of the study are chance. They cite several studies suggesting that folic acid may even prevent breast cancer, as opposed to increasing the risk for it.
According to the Spina Bifida Association of America:
A study that was published in the December 10, 2004 issue of the British Medical Journal may be causing undue concern among women currently taking folic acid to reduce the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida. The study found a possible increase in the risk of developing breast cancer among women who take folic acid supplements while pregnant.
The Spina Bifida Association of America urges all women who could become pregnant to take 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Women at increased risk for a spina bifida affected pregnancy those who have spina bifida themselves or have had a pregnancy affected by spina bifida should take 4000 mcg (or 4 mg) daily for 1-3 months prior to conception and during the first trimester.
The findings published in the British Medical Journal are preliminary.
According to the report’s author, Dr. Andy R. Ness, "It is entirely possible that this is a chance finding so further scientific studies are required to examine the association, if there is one, before we reach any conclusions."Women in the study were exposed to 5 mg of folic acid throughout their entire pregnancy a higher dose for a greater period of time than suggested by SBAA and the US Public Health Service.