Iron deficiency and overload and its association with cancer risk in humans: A review

Iron is a trace element that is important for many vital processes in the body. Iron role in oxidation-reduction reactions not only makes it an essential element for vital activities in almost all cells, also a potential carcinogenic factor. To this date no study has reviewed the results of studies in this particular field including the difference between carcinogenic effects of various types of iron and variation of iron effects on different types of cancer. Considering this background, this article is a review on the literatures, focusing on the role of iron overload and deficiency in developing and treatment of various cancers. Searching the data bases including: PubMed, Science direct, springer and Google scholar. In each database specific searching strategies were used. Systematic reviews, meta-analysis, clinical trials and observational studies that examined the relationship between iron, its reservoirs, nutritional sources, and chelators with different types of cancers were selected for this review. This review study explains that both iron deficiency and overload could have carcinogenic, protective or therapeutic effects. These effects are varied according to the type of cancer and/or the type of consumed iron