Scientists of Dartmouth Medical School said that intake of calcium supplements over the years can act as a preventive measure for people at risk of
Scientists of Dartmouth Medical School said that intake of calcium supplements over the years can act as a preventive measure for people at risk of colon cancer.
Calcium supplements can reduce about 36% of the chances of pre-cancerous polyp formations in colon. Calcium has chemo protective properties that can prevent formation of colorectal polyps.The previous study was in a trial, which observed 930 patients with a history of developing pre-cancerous adenoma, and was given 1200 mg. of calcium supplements or placebo medications daily. The results had showed that calcium supplements had been able reduce overall polyp formation by 19% in people.
New study had now showed that of 822 of the original subjects of the previous study, follow up colonoscopies were performed on 597 participants. After adjusting for the use to calcium supplements in the preceding study, there had been a reduction of 36% in the growth of new adenoma polyps in those subjects who had continued the use of supplementary calcium. There was a 40% reduction of risks against the development of non-neoplastic hyperplastic polyps in those subjects as well.
However researchers had found out that this protective effect of calcium reduces over time.
Reference: 96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Press Release
