A dietary and supplemental intake of calcium and vitamin D is not associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in women, according to a Harvard University/Brigham & Women's Hospital study.

"In vivo and in vitro studies have suggested a protective role of calcium and vitamin D in the development of colorectal cancer. However, epidemiologic data have been inconclusive. The authors prospectively assessed intakes of calcium and vitamin D in relation to risk of colorectal cancer in a large, prospective, female cohort from the U.S. Women's Health Study," wrote J. Lin and colleagues.