Vitamin E and benign breast disease.

Vitamin E has been used in the treatment of benign breast disease for 25 years. To evaluate the efficacy of treatment by means of mammography as the objective and sensitive parameter, 105 women were randomly selected and entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. All patients had mammographic evidence of benign breast disease. They received 600 mg of placebo and alpha-tocopherol acetate in 3-month treatment phases. Breast examinations and mammography were done, after each treatment, at approximately the same phase of the patients menstrual cycle. No significant subjective or objective effects after treatment were observed. We conclude that alpha-tocopherol is not beneficial in the treatment of benign breast disease. We would warn against the use of alpha-tocopherol for misdirected treatment of undiagnosed overt disease because such treatment may delay the diagnosis of breast cancer.