European study links B vitamins to lower breast cancer risk

A European study led by the CIBERESP group at the Andalusian School of Public Health has identified an association between the intake of certain B group vitamins and a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. The research, coordinated by María José Sánchez Pérez and involving investigators from ibs. GRANADA and the University of Granada, was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, researchers analyzed 6,134 women across seven European countries. The study focused on nutrients involved in the methylation cycle, which is essential for cellular function and gene regulation. Specifically, the research examined the roles of folate and vitamins B2, B6, and B12.

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed tumor in women. In Spain, more than 38,000 new cases are estimated for 2026. Because the disease is multifactorial, involving genetic, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle factors, understanding nutritional links is considered vital for prevention and scientific advancement.