Vitamin D deficiency increases bladder cancer risk, according to medical experts

Physicians find a link between vitamin D deficiency and bladder cancer
Generally, many people suffer from vitamin deficiencies. Also vitamin D is no exception. Researchers now found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.

Researchers at the University of Warwick found in their study that vitamin D deficiency increases the likelihood of bladder cancer. The doctors published a communication on the results of their study.

Many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Physicians found that the lack of vitamin D is associated with an increased likelihood of bladder cancer. (Image: Janina Dierks / fotolia.com)

Vitamin D helps to control levels of calcium and phosphate
Vitamin D is produced by sunlight and the consumption of, for example, fatty fish and egg yolk in the body. The vitamin helps the body to control the levels of calcium and phosphate, say the authors. Previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, autoimmune disease and cancer, experts say.

Many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency
In the UK alone, one in five adults suffers from vitamin D deficiency, the researchers explain. Researchers reviewed seven older studies of vitamin D deficiency for an increased risk of bladder cancer in their current research.

Vitamin D can stimulate an immune response
Researchers are now studying the effects of vitamin D deficiency on our body and especially the bladder. In a separate clinical experiment it was found that the so-called transitional epithelial cells of the bladder can react to vitamin D, which in turn can stimulate an immune response.

Vitamin D could be used for cancer prevention
Further clinical studies are needed to further investigate this association. However, recent research suggests that a low vitamin D level in the blood prevents the cells in the bladder from showing an adequate response to abnormal cells, the authors explain. Since vitamin D is cheap and safe, potential use in cancer prevention could be interesting and potentially impact on the lives of many people.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone weakness and bladder cancer
The lack of vitamin D can lead to bone weakness and many other negative effects, the scientists explain. Five of the seven separate studies found that low levels of vitamin D increased the risk of bladder cancer. The reason for this seems to be the reaction of cells of the bladder.

Experts advise on vitamin D supplements during the winter months
The results show that regular intake of vitamin D can be quite useful for a number of reasons, say the authors. Vitamin D deficiency is generally a rarely diagnosed and underestimated problem. Regular intake of vitamin D supplements should be routinely done during the winter months, experts suggest. (As)