Vitamin D Could Increase Survival Rates For Breast And Bowel Cancer Patients, Study Says | HuffPost Life

This Could Help Breast And Bowel Cancer Patients

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'Sunshine' vitamin D may increase survival rates for those with breast and bowel cancer, new research suggests.

Patients with more of the vitamin in their blood tended to have better survival rates and remain in remission longer than those who were deficient, a study found.

Researchers came to the conclusion after analysing the results of 25 separate studies looking at vitamin D and cancer death rates.

Lead scientist Professor Hui Wang, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai, said: "By reviewing studies that collectively examined vitamin D levels in 17,332 cancer patients, our analysis demonstrated that vitamin D levels are linked to better outcomes in several types of cancer.

"The results suggest vitamin D may influence the prognosis for people with breast cancer, colorectal (bowel) cancer and lymphoma, in particular."

Vitamin D, produced naturally in body by exposing the skin to sunlight and absorbed from certain foods, is vital for healthy bones and also influences a wide range of biological processes.

A protein called the vitamin D receptor that is sensitive to the vitamin is found in nearly every cell in the body.

Story continues below the slideshow:

Get More Vitamin D

Sunlight(01 of12)

Sunlight spurs the body to make vitamin D. But because of the skin-cancer risk, there isn't an official recommendation to catch some rays. However, a small amount of sun exposure without sunscreen can do the trick. "If you're going to get it from the sun, about 20 to 25 minutes of exposure is helpful," says Stephen Honig, M.D., director of the Osteoporosis Center at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, in New York City. The sun is less likely to provide your daily needs at higher latitudes, in the winter, or if you're older or dark skinned (skin pigment blocks light and the process is less efficient with age). And FYI: Light through a window won't work.More from Health.com:Vitamins: What to Take, What to Skip Foods to Boost Your Mood Nutrition Needs That Change As You AgeFlickr photo by Guillaume Capron (credit:Flickr: Guillaume Capron)

Fatty Fish(02 of12)

Fatty fish can be a good source of vitamin D. Common options include salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna and eel. A 3-ounce sockeye salmon fillet contains about 450 international units (IUs) of vitamin D -- a good portion of the 600 IUs that is the Institute of Medicine's recommended dietary allowance (800 IUs if you're over 70). And you get a bonus -- heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids!Flickr photo by BrownGuacamole (credit:Flickr: BrownGuacamole)

Canned Tuna Fish(03 of12)

Fresh fish aren't the only way to boost your vitamin D intake; you can get vitamin D from a can, too. Canned tuna fish and canned sardines both contain vitamin D, and are usually less expensive than fresh fish. Plus, a longer shelf life makes the canned products easy to stock up on and use at your leisure. Canned light tuna has the most vitamin D -- about 150 IUs per 4 ounces -- while canned albacore tuna has about 50 IUs per 4 ounces, and canned sardines have a little more than 40 IUs per two sardines.Flickr photo by Kristen Bonardi Rapp (credit:Flickr: Kristen Bonardi Rapp)

Certain Mushrooms(04 of12)

Just like humans, mushrooms have the capacity to produce vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light. Mushrooms, however, are usually grown in the dark and don't contain the vitamin. Specific brands, however, are grown in ultraviolet light to spur vitamin D production. Check to see if vitamin D-rich 'shrooms, like Dole's Portobello Mushrooms, are available at a store near you. They're perfect for vegetarians looking for plant-based foods that contain the vitamin. Dole's portobellos will give you 400 IUs of vitamin D per 3-ounce serving (about 1 cup of diced mushrooms).Flickr photo by Steve Hopson (credit:Flickr: Steve Hopson)

Fortified Milk(05 of12)

Almost all types of cow's milk in the U.S. are fortified with vitamin D, but ice cream and cheese are not. In general, an 8-ounce glass of milk contains at least 100 IUs of vitamin D, and a 6-ounce serving of yogurt contains 80 IUs, but the amount can be higher (or lower) depending on how much is added. Some soy and rice milks are fortified with about the same amount, but check the label since not all contain vitamin D.Flickr photo by loop_oh (credit:Flickr: loop_oh)

Some Types Of Orange Juice(06 of12)

Not a dairy fan? No problem. You can get vitamin D from fortified orange juice. One 8-ounce glass of fortified juice usually has around 100 IUs of vitamin D, but the amount varies from brand to brand. Not all brands are fortified, so check the label. Two fortified brands, Florida Natural Orange Juice and Minute Maid Kids+ Orange Juice, contain 100 IUs per 8-ounce serving.Flickr photo by manwithface (credit:Flickr: manwithface)

Supplements(07 of12)

Vitamin D supplements can help you get your proper daily dose, and as Dr. Honig points out, you don't run into the issue of skin cancer as you might with UV rays. "And it's not like calcium," he says. "You don't have to split up your vitamin D dose; you can take it all at one time." Too much vitamin D can be toxic, however. The IOM sets the upper limit at 4,000 IUs for people aged 9 and older. That includes all sources -- food, sun, and supplements. Talk to your doctor before choosing a dosage. (credit:Alamy)

Egg Yolks(08 of12)

Eggs are a convenient way to get vitamin D. They're popular in many breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert recipes. Since the vitamin D in an egg comes from its yolk, it's important to use the whole egg -- not just the whites. One yolk will give you about 40 IUs, but don't try to get your daily vitamin D just from eggs. One egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol, and the American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 300 milligrams a day for heart health.Flickr photo by mary_thompson (credit:Flickr: mary_thompson)

Fortified Cereal(09 of12)

If you're a vitamin D seeker looking for a crunch, look no further than fortified cereals. Choose a low-calorie fortified cereal like Multi Grain Cheerios to get part of your daily fill of vitamin D. You can pair it with fortified milk and a glass of fortified OJ too. A 1-cup (29 gram) serving of Multi Grain Cheerios with one-half cup of fortified milk is 90 IUs; add in an 8-ounce glass of fortified orange juice, and your total is close to 200 IUs.Flickr photo by Christian Cable (credit:Flickr: Christian Cable)

Beef Liver(10 of12)

Although it might not be the most appealing source, a 3.5-ounce serving of cooked beef liver contains about 50 IUs of vitamin D -- and several other nutrients. You'll also be getting vitamin A, iron and protein. However, beef liver is also high in cholesterol, so you might want to choose an oily fish instead. (credit:Alamy)

Cod Liver Oil(11 of12)

While its name might suggest a less-than-savory flavor, cod liver oil is often flavored with mint or citrus, or comes in capsule form. One tablespoon contains about 1,300 IUs of vitamin D, which is more than twice the recommended dietary allowance of 600 IUs per day. That amount doesn't exceed the maximum upper-level intake of 4,000 IUs for people over 8 years old, but it exceeds the daily maximum for infants (1,000 IUs). (credit:Alamy)

Ultraviolet Lamps And Bulbs(12 of12)

People at high risk of vitamin D deficiency may resort to UV-emitting lamps and bulbs. This includes people unable to absorb the vitamin (malabsorption) or those who can't get enough in winter months, says Michael F. Holick, M.D., a professor of medicine, sociology, and biophysics at Boston University Medical Center. These are similar to tanning beds, but smaller. "The lamp is only about 24 inches by about 16 inches," says Holick. These lamps carry the same skin-cancer risks and need for protective eyewear, so they're best for those with a doctor's recommendation.More from Health.com:Vitamins: What to Take, What to Skip Foods to Boost Your Mood Nutrition Needs That Change As You AgePhoto from Amazon.com (credit:Amazon.com)

In most of the studies involved in the research, patients had their vitamin D levels tested before undergoing any cancer treatment.

Prof Wang's team found that a 10 nanomole per litre increase in vitamin D blood levels was associated with a 4% greater chance of survival.

The strongest link between vitamin D level and death rate was seen in breast and bowel cancer patients, and those with the blood cancer lymphoma.

There was less evidence of a connection with lung cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, leukaemia, melanoma skin cancer and Merkel cell carcinoma.

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"Considering that vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue all over the world, it is important to ensure that everyone has sufficient levels of this important nutrient," said Prof Wang.

"Physicians need to pay close attention to vitamin D levels in people who have been diagnosed with cancer."Vitamin D levels at diagnosis may affect the survival chances of some cancer patients, new research suggests.

Patients with more of the vitamin in their blood tended to have better survival rates and remain in remission longer than those who were deficient, a study found.

Researchers came to the conclusion after analysing the results of 25 separate studies looking at vitamin D and cancer death rates.

Here are some little knows facts about breast cancer:

11 Little Known Breast Cancer Facts

Breast cancer is actually many different types of cancer(01 of10)

Breast cancer, in its simplest definition, is cancer that starts in the cells of the breast. But what we call "breast cancer" actually includes several different types of cancer, all of which require different treatments and have different prognoses. (credit:Shutterstock)

A lump doesn't always (or even usually) mean cancer(02 of10)

Most breast lumps indicate something other than breast cancer—some possible causes for breast lumps include cysts, fibrosis, or benign tumours. And some women are just prone to lumpy breasts, which is stressful but harmless. That said, if you find a lump, get it checked out — know that the odds are good that it's nothing serious, but see your doctor about it for your own peace of mind. (credit:Susan G. Komen)

Breast cancer isn't always a lump(03 of10)

It's helpful to know that breast cancer can appear in forms other than a lump, which means there are other physical signs you should watch for. Other symptoms that you should get checked out include thickening of the skin in the breast or underarm area; swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening of the breasts; a change in your breast size or shape; dimpling or puckering of the breast skin; an itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple; a pulling in of your nipple or another part of your breast; sudden nipple discharge; or pain in one spot of the breast that doesn't go away. (credit:Shutterstock)

Breast cancer risk isn't always determined by family history(04 of10)

A family history of breast cancer (on either your mother or father's side) can be an indication that your personal odds of developing it are higher than average, but they don't guarantee that you will. As well, the majority of women who develop breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors, including family history. And the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are hereditary, but only account for five to 10 per cent of all breast cancers. (credit:Shutterstock)

BRCA1 or BRCA2 don't always mean cancer is in your future(05 of10)

The news that Angelina Jolie had had a preventative double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation made many women wonder if they had the same mutation--and what it would mean for them if they did. If you do have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, your lifetime risk of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer is significantly elevated, and women with the mutations who do get cancer tend to develop it at younger ages; one estimate states that 55 to 65 per cent of the women with the BRCA1 mutation and 45 per cent of those with the BRCA2 mutation will develop breast cancer by age 70, versus 12 per cent in the general population. But it does not mean that cancer is definitely in your future, and every person has to make her own individual decision, based on a variety of factors, about how to best mitigate her risk of disease. (credit:Shutterstock)

Not all women have a one-in-eight risk for breast cancer(06 of10)

This often-cited statistic is somewhat misleading. Breast cancer risk varies based on a variety of factors, including age, weight, and ethnic background. Risk increases as you get older (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/age.htm): most breast-cancer cases are in women in their 50s and 60s. Also, some ethnic groups appear to be more susceptible to breast cancer; the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. says that white, non-Hispanic women have the highest overall risk of developing breast cancer, while women of Korean descent have the lowest risk, but African-American women have a higher death rate. Finally, being overweight or obese may also up your risk; there is evidence that being obese or overweight after menopause can up your breast-cancer risk, possibly because fat tissue is a source of estrogen. (credit:Shutterstock)

There are ways to lower your risk(07 of10)

You can't prevent breast cancer, per se, but there are ways to lower your personal risk. If you are overweight or obese, you could try to lose weight in a healthful way; if you are already in a healthy weight range, try to stay there. Exercise regularly, as as little as 75 to 150 minutes of walking a week has been shown to have a lowering effect on risk. Limit your alcohol consumption — research found that women who have two or more alcoholic drinks each day have an elevated risk of breast cancer. And avoid hormone therapy during menopause, as a combo of estrogen and progestin has been shown to raise breast-cancer risk. (credit:Shutterstock)

Mammograms aren't foolproof(08 of10)

Mammograms are a powerful way to detect breast cancer early on, but they aren't 100 per cent. Mammograms are most effective in women aged 50 and over; they detect about 83 per cent of women who have breast cancer in that age group. For younger women, the sensitivity is 78 per cent. However, that does mean some cancers are missed and that there are false-positive results as well, which could require a biopsy to confirm. Talk to your doctor about when you should start getting mammograms regularly, or if you have symptoms that suggest that you should get one. (credit:Shutterstock)

Fertility treatments don't raise your breast-cancer risk(09 of10)

Some wondered if Giuliana Rancic's fertility treatments were behind her diagnosis of breast cancer in her late 30s, but experts interviewed by WebMD said that there is no strong evidence connecting the disease with the use of fertility drugs. It's true that hormonal treatments can raise the risk for post-menopausal women, but women undergoing fertility treatments are almost never in that age range, and also take the medications for a much shorter period of time. (credit:Getty Images)

Most women survive breast cancer(10 of10)

Cancer is scary, but in most cases, women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive and lead healthy lives. According to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, the five-year survival rate is 80 per cent for men and 88 per cent for women. That's up from 79 per cent for women in 1986. (credit:Shutterstock)

Lead scientist Professor Hui Wang, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai, said: "By reviewing studies that collectively examined vitamin D levels in 17,332 cancer patients, our analysis demonstrated that vitamin D levels are linked to better outcomes in several types of cancer.

"The results suggest vitamin D may influence the prognosis for people with breast cancer, colorectal (bowel) cancer and lymphoma, in particular."

Vitamin D, produced naturally in body by exposing the skin to sunlight and absorbed from certain foods, is vital for healthy bones and also influences a wide range of biological processes.

A protein called the vitamin D receptor that is sensitive to the vitamin is found in nearly every cell in the body.

In most of the studies involved in the research, patients had their vitamin D levels tested before undergoing any cancer treatment.

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Prof Wang's team found that a 10 nanomole per litre increase in vitamin D blood levels was associated with a 4% greater chance of survival.

The strongest link between vitamin D level and death rate was seen in breast and bowel cancer patients, and those with the blood cancer lymphoma.

There was less evidence of a connection with lung cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, leukaemia, melanoma skin cancer and Merkel cell carcinoma.

"Considering that vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue all over the world, it is important to ensure that everyone has sufficient levels of this important nutrient," said Prof Wang.

"Physicians need to pay close attention to vitamin D levels in people who have been diagnosed with cancer."

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