Low vitamin D levels increase the risk of breast cancer in women

How does the vitamin D level affect breast cancer??

A new study from Brazil confirms the results of previous studies suggesting that women with low post-menopausal vitamin D levels are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.

The researchers at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil found in their recent research that low postmenopausal vitamin D levels in women appear to increase the risk of breast cancer. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Menopause".

Breast cancer is widespread in women. How does vitamin D affect the risk of this dangerous disease? (Image: Tyler Olson / fotolia.com)

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) notes that approximately 12.4 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer sometime during their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women worldwide. Some of the major risk factors for breast cancer in women are increasing age and obesity after menopause, say the experts. In recent years, many studies have also discussed the potential impact of vitamin D on breast cancer risk.

What have been previous studies on the subject?

For example, a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) earlier this year found that women with the highest vitamin D levels had significantly lower cancer risk compared to women with the lowest vitamin D levels.

627 women participated in the study

Now, researchers at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil have made similar conclusions after analyzing the medical data of 627 Brazilian women between the ages of 45 and 75 years. The participants consisted of two groups of women: 209 women who had already been diagnosed with breast cancer and 418 women who did not have cancer as a control group. For all women, menstruation had to be stopped for at least 12 months.

High BMI and obesity affect the risk of breast cancer

Comparing the medical information collected from the two women's groups, the researchers found that breast cancer survivors often had low or very low vitamin D levels at the time of diagnosis compared to the non-cancer patients. In addition, a larger number of women with breast cancer had a high body mass index (BMI) or had obesity compared to those without breast cancer, say the physicians. When conducting a risk analysis, where the team considered relevant modifying factors such as age, BMI, and post-menopausal time, the researchers concluded that women with breast cancer were 1.5 times more likely to have low vitamin D levels develop compared to women without breast cancer. The authors hypothesize that appropriate levels of vitamin D in the body may help reduce cancer risk by inhibiting cell proliferation.

How do I increase my vitamin D level??

Vitamin D can play an important role in the control of breast cancer cells. Vitamin D can be absorbed by direct sunlight, vitamin D-3 supplements, or vitamin D-rich foods. Some foods high in vitamin D include fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, some seafood such as oysters, mushrooms and egg yolks. However, food intake is limited. (As)