No benefit found
Vitamin C pills
oral vitamin C. Vitamins & minerals.
During treatment: High-dose antioxidants, including vitamin C, taken before and during breast cancer chemotherapy were linked to more recurrence in one study.
- Verdict
- No benefit foundIt was tested as a cancer remedy and didn't work.
- How sure
- Rung 4 · StrongAt least one large randomized trial, or very large consistent studies, on this exact question.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Total and prostate cancer
What the evidence shows
In the Physicians' Health Study II (14,641 men, 8 years), 500 mg of vitamin C a day had no effect on total cancer or prostate cancer.
What to do
Don't take vitamin C pills to prevent cancer. Fruit and vegetables are the better source.
Sources
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
Spotted an error? Tell us and we’ll check it against the sources.
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the prostate cancer page.