Can Cancer Cause Low Vitamin D & Low Iron?

All types of cancers are diagnosed on a regular basis. According to 2007 statistics from the American Cancer Society and the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the number of people living with cancer was 11,714,000. For many patients with cancer, chemotherapy and radiation are traditional treatments. Cancer and the drugs used for treatment can contribute to various nutritional and vitamin deficiencies, including vitamin D and iron.

Cancer

Your body normally forms new cells as old ones die off. In cancers, your body produces new cells even if old cells do not die and old cells do not die off as they should. This increase in excess cells forms a mass known as a tumor. The type of cancer you are diagnosed with depends on where these tumors begin, such as lung cancer. At times, these cells will spread to other areas of the body causing metastasis. Treatments for cancer depend on the type of cancer and the stage of advancement it is in when discovered. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat soluble nutrient that your body can make through the exposure of your skin to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It can also be consumed through your diet in fortified milk and oily fish such as salmon. According to the Bone and Cancer Foundation, vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with all types of cancer. They contribute this to patients spending less time in the sun and the possible reduced consumption of vitamin D rich foods because they are eating less. Because vitamin D plays a role in cell growth, vitamin D is essential for patients with cancer. A 2010 study published in "Maturitas" showed that there was a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in breast cancer patients and that regular testing of serum vitamin D levels and supplementation was recommended.

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral that your body needs to make proteins found in the blood that are designed to carry oxygen. Not having enough iron in your body leads to a condition called anemia, or iron deficiency. According to a 2011 study published in the "American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy," between 30 and 90 percent of patients with cancer develop anemia due to the disease, its treatment and possible nutritional deficiencies it causes. The researchers suggest the use of intravenous iron supplementation.

Considerations

If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment, talk with your physician about having your serum vitamin D and iron levels tested. If your results show you are deficient, ask your physician about possible methods of supplementation to add to your daily routine. According to a 2011 study published in "Oncologist," vitamin D deficiency is associated with a worse prognosis in some cancers, so having your vitamin D levels tested and the deficiency treated may be beneficial to your cancer treatment.