Raises risk
Beta-carotene pills
beta-carotene, alone or with vitamin A. Vitamins & minerals.
Safety: Raised lung cancer risk in smokers in two large trials (ATBC and CARET).
- Verdict
- Raises riskStudies link it to higher cancer risk.
- How sure
- Rung 5 · EstablishedLarge randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Lung, in smokers and asbestos-exposed workers
What the evidence shows
Two large trials found more lung cancer, not less: ATBC in smokers taking beta-carotene, and CARET in smokers and asbestos-exposed workers taking beta-carotene with vitamin A. In nonsmokers, the pills don't lower lung cancer risk.
What to do
Don't take beta-carotene pills, especially if you smoke or used to. Carrots, sweet potatoes and greens are fine.
Sources
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
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Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the lung cancer page.