ISSN: 2375-3838
International Journal of Clinical Medicine Research  
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Hypovitaminosis C Among Women of African Descent with Breast Cancer in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria: Case for Ascorbic Acid Supplementation
International Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
Vol.5 , No. 1, Publication Date: Feb. 12, 2018, Page: 1-6
913 Views Since February 12, 2018, 607 Downloads Since Feb. 12, 2018
 
 
Authors
 
[1]    

Erhabor Osar, Department of Haematology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

[2]    

Mbata Emmanuel Chinoye, Department of Haematology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

[3]    

Retsky Michael, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, U.S.A..

[4]    

Erhabor Tosan, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.

 
Abstract
 

In women, cancer of the breast is the most common neoplasm and cause of cancer-related death. An increasing number of women in Nigeria are affected with breast cancer. There is however paucity of data on the ascorbic acid levels among women of African descent with breast cancer. This study was a hospital-based case- control study to examine the levels of vitamin C among women of African descent with breast cancer in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. The study included a total of 46 breast cancer patients aged 18-70 years and mean age 42.91±5.83 years visiting the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto. Forty –six age-matched apparently healthy women were monitored as controls. Venous blood was collected from the subjects and controls for estimation of vitamin C by a standard chemical method. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical package. Linear regression analysis was carried out to calculate correlation coefficient. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant in all comparisons. The results of the present study indicate a strong association of vitamin C with breast cancer among women with breast cancer in Nigeria. The mean value of ascorbic acid was significantly lower among breast cancer patients (0.44±0.02 mg/dl) compared to controls (1.98±0.21 mg/dl) (p=0.000). There was no statistically significant difference in the Vit C levels of subjects based on whether subjects were on treatment or naïve (0.43±0.04 vs 0.45±0.03) p=0.65. There was a statistically significant difference in the Vit C levels of subjects based on stage of the disease (p=0.05). Findings from this study have shown that breast cancer patients have a significantly lower ascorbic acid levels compared to controls. Determination of ascorbic acid level should be taken as an essential tool in the investigation and management of breast cancer. Active breast cancer awareness campaign should be carried out on the need for early diagnosis. This study may be a justification to routinely offer ascorbic acid supplementation to women of African descent with breast cancer as a prophylactic measure.


Keywords
 

Hypovitaminosis C, Women, African Descent, Breast Cancer, Sokoto, Nigeria, Supplementation


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