Nutrition Intervention Trials in Linxian Follow-up Study

From the registry

Two large, nutritional intervention trials were conducted in Linxian, China between 1985-1991. These trials tested the effect of multiple vitamins and minerals in the prevention of esophageal cancer in a population with the highest known rate for this disease in the world. Results from the trials showed that Beta-carotene + Vitamin E + selenium reduced total mortality, total cancer mortality, and stomach cancer incidence and mortality. Multivitamins/minerals also showed reduction in premalignant lesions. Preliminary follow-up data obtained for the time period after cessation of intervention in 1991 suggests that the observed benefit for total and cancer mortality is reduced but that the benefit for stomach cancer remains. The objectives of the follow-up study are: (1) to continue to determine cancer incidence and all causes of mortality in trial participants after intervention to permit examination of potential effects of the interventions on total and cause-specific mortality and cancer incidence in the post-intervention period; (2) to conduct a cross-sectional nutritional survey…