Low Vitamin D levels Linked to More Aggressive Breast Cancers

Low Vitamin D levels Linked to More Aggressive Breast Cancers








Breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D have more aggressive tumors and poorer outcomes, a new study finds. Experts say the new findings support what many oncologists have long suspected.







"There has been suspicion that vitamin D is related to breast health in some way, although the particular pathway is still unknown," noted Dr. Laurie Kirstein, a breast surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. "Many oncologists are already following vitamin D levels in their breast cancer patients, andrecommending supplements for low levels," added Kirstein.







"To link vitamin D levels to the aggressiveness of a particular type of breast cancer is an interesting finding; one that should be validated with a controlled trial."







In the study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, a team from the University ofRochester Medical Center (URMC) tracked 155 women who had surgery for breast cancer between January 2009 and September 2010.







The team examined blood tests that provided vitamin D levels for all the patients in the one-year period before and after surgery. They also analyzed relevant patient breast cancer data, such as age, race, cancer stage at diagnosis, menopause status, gene expression, and estrogen and progesterone status.







The researchers found an association between low vitamin D levels (less than 32 milligrams per milliliter of blood) and poor scores on every major biological marker used to predict a breast cancer patient's outcome.







"The magnitude of the findings was quite surprising," lead researcher Luke J. Peppone, research assistant professor of radiation



oncology, said in a URMC news release. "Based on these results, doctors should strongly consider monitoring vitamin D levels among breast cancer patients and correcting them as needed."







Another expert said the findings do raise a red flag, but more study may beneeded. "There appears to be increasing evidence linking vitamin D levels and breast cancer," said Dr. Sharon M. Rosenbaum Smith, a breast cancer surgeon at the Comprehensive Breast Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Medical Center in New York City. "This study certainly shows another link between the two. However, a direct cause and effect relationship has notbeen proven. This study certainly suggests that continued optimization of a patient's vitamin D level may be advantageous."







The Rochester team said their study is one of the first to look at the link between vitamin D levels and breast cancer progression. Previous studies have concentrated on vitamin D deficiency and the risk of cancer development only.







According to study leader Peppone, further research is required to learn more about the biological basis of the association between vitamin D and breast cancer outcomes, but this study shows the importance of checking vitamin D levels in breast cancer patients.





Vitamin D Association organising two conferences about Vitamin D in London this week







May 17 Vitamin D & Obstetrics - Improving Pregnancy & Childbirth







Some of the world's foremost experts will show the strong evidence that higher levels of Vitamin D lead to easier conception, easier pregnancy, less gestational diabetes, less pre-eclampsia, reduced risk of emergency C-sections and an easier delivery, followed by less depression in the mother and a larger, healthier baby. There is also evidence that the risk of Type-1 Diabetes in the child is reduced and that the child will have stronger bones and teeth.







Professor Bruce Hollis will discuss findings from his recent Trials on vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding. He is the director of Paediatric Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina and has studied vitamin D metabolism and nutrition for the past 35 years. He has published significant scientific papers on the biomarkers of Vitamin D in the body as they relate to a number of illnesses







Professor Reinhold Vieth is Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. His current research focuses on the roles played by vitamin D in many illnesses and especially gestational diabetes, plus toxicity and safe blood serum levels.







Professor Hollis and Professor Vieth will release findings of their recent work on what mothers and health professionals need to know about vitamin D - information that they hope will help clarify new guidelines for safe sun exposure, supplementation and suitable dietary sources of vitamin D.







More at: www.vitamindassociation.org/events







May 18 Vitamin D & Cancer - Treatment & Prevention







Long-term Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many cancers, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory infections, muscle weakness, mood and cognitive function and infectious diseases such as influenza.







There is strong evidence that high levels of Vitamin D both help the body recover from cancer and also play a major part in preventing cancer.







Professor Joan Lappe is professor of medicine at Creighton University in USA. She will report on the results of a major Level 1 Randomised Controlled Trial that showed the preventive actions of Vitamin D and calcium against cancer.







Dr. Enikö Kállay will provide report about the latest genetic tests for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. She is Assistant Professor at the Medical University of Vienna, Department of Patho-physiology and Allergy Research, where she studies the role of Vitamin D and dietary calcium in the prevention and pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, with special emphasis on the CYP24 gene.







More at: www.vitamindassociation.org/events