New Vitamin A drug may cut breast cancer risk

LONDON: A new Vitamin-A drug may reduce breast cancer in younger patients, finds a new study, though researchers say more research is needed before drawing any conclusions.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and education in UK revealed the findings after studying 1,700 women between 12 and 16 years, reported the Daily Mail.

They found that the drug Fenretinide reduced second cancers in pre-menopausal women by 38 per cent and halved the risk in those under 40. However, the cancer rate actually increased among post-menopausal women taking the drug, it said. Fenretinide is a synthetic version of Retinol or active vitamin A, which can combat certain types of tumour.

However, Sarah Rawlings from Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “Significantly more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.”  She warned that high doses of vitamin A could be harmful to unborn babies.