There has been much discussion among researchers over the last few years about the connection of vitamin D and various cancers. Vitamin D deficiency is frequently seen in patients with cancer as well as in generally healthy individuals, as it is becoming a national health concern. According to a 2009 study published in the “Archives of Internal Medicine,” 77 percent of all Americans are vitamin D deficient. While cancer itself does not appear to reduce the levels of vitamin D, certain cancer medications and changes in lifestyle can affect vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that can be made by your body through the exposure of your skin to the ultraviolet B rays from the sun. It can also be acquired through your diet by fortified milk products and oily fish such as salmon. According to the Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board, adults should be receiving 600 IUs of vitamin D per day. For many cancer patients, the chemotherapy drugs used to treat the cancers can cause nausea and decreased appetite. For this reason, consuming vitamin D in the diet can be difficult. At the same time, cancer patients may not be spending as much time in the sun to produce the vitamin D they need.
Medical Research
Looking at the connection between cancer, chemotherapy and vitamin D status, a 2009 study published in the “International Journal of Colorectal Disease” looked at 315 patients with colorectal cancer. The researchers discovered that chemotherapy treatment was associated with a significant increase in a patients risk for severe vitamin D deficiency. The researchers recommend that patients receiving chemotherapy treatments be tested for vitamin D deficiency and treated accordingly. A 2010 study published in “Maturitas” looked at women with breast cancer being treated with aromatase inhibitors, which are a drug that stops the production of estrogen and certain breast cancer cells. They determined that treatment with this medication was connected with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D and Cancer Prevention
With the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the United States, researchers have looked at the possible connection between vitamin D deficiency and cancer risk and mortality. Dr. Cedric Garland is a top researcher in vitamin D health and published a study in the “Annals of Epidemiology” showing that by testing and treating for vitamin D deficiency, 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 cases of colorectal cancer could be prevented each year.
Considerations
If you believe you could be at risk for vitamin D deficiency, consult with your physician about being tested. A simple blood test called a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test will measure the levels of vitamin D in your blood. If your results show you are deficient, your physician will be able to begin a treatment plan to bring your levels to within the optimal range and suggest supplementation to maintain those levels. This is important for both patients diagnosed with cancer and those with risk factors for developing cancer.
References
- “International Journal of Colorectal Disease”; Chemotherapy is Linked to Severe Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Colorectal Cancer; Fakih MG et al.; February 2009
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004; Adit A. Ginde, MD et al.; March 23, 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
- “Maturitas”; Vitamin D Deficiency and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors For Early Breast Cancer; X. Nogues et al.; July 2010
- Breastcancer.org; Aromatase Inhibitors; July 21, 2011
- “Annals of Epidemiology’; Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention; Global Perspective; CF Garland et al.; July 2009
- University of California Television; Vitamin D and Cancer Reduction; October 12, 2009
- MedlinePlus; 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test; August 31, 2010
Member Comments