According to United Press International, a recent study from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine indicates that women with breast cancer who have high levels of vitamin D in their systems double their odds of survival over women with lower levels.
The researchers made a statistical analysis of multiple studies which involved 4,443 breast cancer patients who were given a metabolite that would be produced by someone ingesting vitamin D. The metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, then had its effect studied over the course of 9 years.
The study was published in Anticancer Research, and found that the Vitamin D metabolites actually increased cell communication and helped stop tumor growth. The study saw that the vitamin D receptors in cells would not be lost until later stages of cancer, but before that they would block aggressive cell division. This helps specifically if the Vitamin D metabolites are actually found within the area of the tumor, and if the tumor has not grown to such a large size in which the vitamin D receptors have been disabled by the disease.
"There is no compelling reason to wait for further studies to incorporate vitamin D supplements into standard care regimens since a safe dose of vitamin D needed to achieve high serum levels above 30 nanograms per milliliter has already been established," said Dr. Heather Hofflich, the co-author of the study and associate professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
She then went on to suggest that the patient's health care provider should check in with them to make sure a vitamin D increase was a wise move, considering their current Vitamin D levels.
