By David Liu, PHD

Saturday Aug 11, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention suggests that taking vitamin b6 supplements or eating foods high in the vitamin may help prevent invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

The study showed postmenopausal women with highest serum levels of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, an active form of vitamin b6 were 30 percent less likely to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

Thirty percent reduction in invasive breast cancer risk could mean that 10,000 women may not have to die from the disease each year in the United States.

Experimental and epidemiological studies have suggested that vitamin b6 may reduce risk of breast cancer, researchers say in their report. The current study was based on data from 706 cases and 706 controls matched on birth dates, ethnicity, study site, date of blood draw, time of blood draw, hours of fasting prior to blood draw and use of hormones.

The association between intake of vitamin b6 and risk of invasive breast cancer seemed to be limited to cases of hormone receptor-positive tumors, according to the study report.

The study was conducted by G. Lurie of University of Hawaii Cancer Center and colleagues.

An estimated 220,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States and about 37,000 die from the disease, treatment, and complications annually.

Breast cancer can be in many cases prevented by following a healthy lifestyle including a healthy diet.  Important preventive measures include avoiding medical radiation used in diagnostics and treatment, hormone therapy, and having a child at a young age, and eating less animal meat and dairy products, and added sugars.