CARET trial subgroup data suggest lung cancer link to alcohol use among smokers.

BETA CAROTENE LINK TO LUNG CANCER MAY BE INFLUENCED BY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION among smokers, suggests a new analysis of the Beta Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) published in the Nov. 6 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. CARET, a six-center chemoprevention trial, was halted 21 months early because of interim data showing evidence of no benefit and possible harm in participants taking beta carotene (30 mg) and vitamin A (25,000 IU) daily for an average of four years ("The Tan Sheet" Jan. 22, p. 4). The study found 28% more lung cancers and 17% more deaths in the supplement group compared to the placebo group.