(13-03-13) Low vitamin D levels increase breast cancer risks

by J. D. Heyes

(NaturalNews) More evidence from a new study shows that lower vitamin D levels
could be more hazardous to women because it leads to a higher risk of breast
cancer.

The latest research, conducted by scientists at the Westmead Breast Cancer
Institute, Westmead Hospital, in New South Wales, Australia, followed 214 women
who had been newly diagnosed with breast cancer. According to a summary of the
findings, women with lower-than-normal vitamin D "levels were found be
inversely associated with the odds ratio of breast cancer."

The lower level "was associated with a significantly higher risk of breast
cancer," said the summary. "These results support previous research which has
shown that lower [vitamin D] concentrations are associated with increased risk
of breast cancer."

The findings correspond with earlier studies conducted by researchers around
the world, which were confirmed recently by U.S. scientists conducting a review
of breast cancer data.

'High vitamin D levels reduce the risk of breast cancer and other diseases'

"Epidemiological and laboratory studies have long established that high
vitamin D levels can reduce the risk of breast cancer," says a report by The
Press Association. That said, the report added, a previous study of more than
67,000 French women, which was led by Pierre Engel, an epidemiology manager at
Quintiles-Outcome, a top research firm, "showed the importance of a minimum
vitamin D level in preventing breast cancer."

Vitamin D is available in many forms, via foods like fruits and vegetables,
and through sunlight, the latter of which can prove to be a problem for women
who just happen to live in northern climes where sunlight is a premium,
researchers said, noting that western women in particular lead busy lifestyles
and may spend far too little time in the sun.

"High vitamin D levels reduce the risk of breast cancer and also offer
protection against many other diseases," Ad Brand of the Sunlight Research
Forum (SRF) said.

"In the Northern Hemisphere, the level of sunlight from September to May is
often insufficient for the body to produce enough essential vitamin D," said
Brand. ""It might therefore be sensible to undergo moderate artificial UV
exposure on a regular basis."

Two studies completed in 2010 by researchers from the University of Rochester
Medical Center found the same link between lower levels of vitamin D and
increased breast cancer risk.

"The research adds to mounting evidence that some connection exists between
vitamin D and cancer, although it is not yet known how vitamin D modifies or
contributes to cancer risk," said a press release from the school.

"Our data certainly suggests that it is important to test patients for serum
vitamin D levels, and if necessary, treat the deficiency along with the
disease," said Alissa Huston, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine at URMC,
who presented the findings. "In some cases, weekly high doses of vitamin D are
needed to bring the patient up to sufficient levels."

Blacks may be at higher risk

"Currently, we recommend a minimum 1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily (in addition to
calcium) to our patients," Huston said, "but in most instances this dose needs
to be individualized to the patient's specific level."

A second study, led by Kevin Fiscella, M.D., M.P.H., found that "vitamin D
deficiency among African Americans may explain a persistent mystery in
colorectal cancer: why black people die of this disease far more often than
whites," said the press release.

Researchers have found that simply being African-American doubled the risk of
dying from colorectal cancer.

Earlier, scientists using data from the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey found that a vitamin D deficiency may also contribute to a
higher number of heart and stroke-related deaths among blacks.

Sources:

http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/40517

http://www.nursingtimes.net

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=3013

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