Vitamin D may share some relationship with cancer. However, it is not known whether a lack of vitamin D can cause cancer or if cancer causes vitamin D deficiency as a symptom. Cancer may cause almost any symptom, according to the American Cancer Society, although fatigue and unexplained weight loss are more common cancer symptoms.
Vitamin D and Cancer Link
According to the American Cancer Society, some laboratory, animal and observational studies suggest that higher levels of vitamin D in the body may be linked to lower cancer risk. Also, according to the Bone and Cancer Foundation, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among patients with all types of cancer. The ACS notes, however, that further studies are required to determine whether a lack of vitamin D is a risk factor for cancer, cancer results in vitamin D deficiency or if there is some other relationship between the two. It's also unknown whether taking more vitamin D than the recommended daily value lowers cancer risk. However, as vitamin D deficiency has several known negative health consequences, including rickets and osteomalacia, it is important for everyone to prevent or correct a vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D and Cancer Treatment
While there's not sufficient evidence to conclude that vitamin D deficiency is a common cancer symptom, vitamin D supplementation may play an important role in cancer treatment. People with cancer and people undergoing cancer treatment are commonly vitamin D deficient, possibly due to reduced appetite and resulting lack of dietary vitamin D intake, or not feeling well enough to spend time outdoors, according to the Bone and Cancer Foundation. Therefore, to prevent health problems resulting from vitamin D deficiency, cancer patients should have their vitamin D levels tested and also take supplemental vitamin D. Some studies also suggest that vitamin D supplementation during cancer treatment may also help chemotherapy work better and that it may slow the progression of certain cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.
Preventing and Treating Vitamin D Deficiency
In addition to its potential role in cancer prevention, some research also indicates that vitamin D may provide protection from other chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, hypertension and several autoimmune diseases, according to MayoClinic.com. Although most people can obtain adequate vitamin from as few as 10 minutes of sun exposure per day or through dietary sources like egg yolks, salmon and tuna, older people and people who live in northern latitudes may require vitamin D supplementation to prevent a deficiency. The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D, set by the Institute of Medicine in 2010, is 15 mcg or 600 international units for children and adults up to 70, and 20 mcg for adults over 70. To treat a severe deficiency, as much as 10,000 to 15,000 IU of vitamin D may be administered daily, says MayoClinic.com.
Common Symptoms of Cancer
Although vitamin D deficiency may coexist with cancer, it is not an established cancer symptom. Symptoms of cancer vary greatly depending on the type of cancer and its progression. Some of the most common general symptoms of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, fever pain and skin changes. Other common symptoms of specific cancers include unexplained bleeding, a nagging cough, change in bladder function or bowel function, sores that don't heal, white patches inside the mouth, a lump that can be felt through the skin and trouble swallowing. While having any of these symptoms doesn't necessarily indicate cancer -- especially if you only have a general symptom, like fatigue -- it's important to see a doctor to determine the cause.
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