Association of Vitamin A and Carotenoid Intake with Melanoma Risk in a Large Prospective Cohort

Prospective cohort study (VITAL) of 69,635 men and women aged 50–76 years at baseline in western Washington; baseline data collected via self-administered questionnaire; average follow-up ~5.84 years; 566 incident melanomas identified; Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for melanoma risk factors.

Retinol supplements; daily dose categories: 19.3–1,200 mg/day (mid-dose) or 41,200 mg/day (high-dose); duration: past 10 years; taken as dietary supplements (including multivitamin sources).

Baseline use of retinol supplements was associated with a significant reduction in melanoma risk (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.41–0.89). High-dose supplemental retinol (41,200 mg/day) showed a risk reduction (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.55–1.00). The reduction was stronger in sun-exposed sites and appeared more pronounced in women; no association with dietary or total intake of vitamin A or carotenoids. Authors conclude retinol supplementation may have a preventive role in melanoma, particularly among women, and suggest further study of retinol as a chemopreventive agent.

No serum retinol or carotenoid levels measured; lacked data on certain melanoma risk factors (e.g., nevus count); potential residual confounding; observational design; possible misclassification of supplement use; cohort may limit generalizability; no clear dose–response for retinol supplementation.