Vit D may curb breast cancer progression

[Celebration]

http://www.irishhealth.com/?level=4&id=10391

The study found that women in the early stages of the disease had significantly higher levels of vitamin D in their bodies compared to women in the advanced stages.

The researchers said that the exact reasons for this disparity were not clear. As well as this, it was unclear whether the lowered levels of vitamin D among those with advanced breast cancer were a cause or consequent of the cancer itself.

However these results, taken together with results from previous studies, appear to indicate that lowered levels of vitamin D may promote progression of the disease to its advanced stages.

Previous laboratory studies have shown that vitamin D stops cancer cells from dividing and enhances cancer cell death. Having adequate amounts of vitamin D in the body, along with exposure to sunlight, have also been shown to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

"This report, while being an observational study, clearly shows that circulating vitamin D levels are lower in advanced breast cancer as compared to early breast cancer. It lends support to the idea that vitamin D has a role in the progression of breast cancer", explained Dr Carlo Palmieri of ICL.