Breaking news today regarding the level of vitamin D for women with breast cancer…it seems that women with breast cancer, who have low levels of vitamin D, are more likely to have aggressive forms of cancer and are more likely to die from it. This is staggering news. Women are dying not for the cup size of their breasts; but, from POSSIBLY, something as simple as a vitamin deficiency. For premium breast health women may want to add a blood test to their yearly mammogram.
Could it really be true that a woman’s survival chances could depend on how much vitamin D she has in her blood stream? Yes, it appears that it is true. Now, it is a little bit more complicated than swallowing a couple of supplemental vitamins. My multi-vitamin has 400 IU’s or international units of vitamin D in it. I have read that for women deficient in vitamin D …adding 800 IU’s can raise the blood level of the vitamin to a middle range.
Vitamin D is a vitamin that is produced in the body by a combination of the sun and a person’s skin. The skin manufactures vitamin D when exposed to the sun. However, as we all know, too much sun can also cause cancer, skin cancer. It is important to note that, a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer should work closely, with her doctor; to evaluate all of the medical information that she needs to make informed decisions regarding her treatment.
Statistics can be overwhelming…but, it is interesting to know that women who were low in vitamin D at the time of their diagnosis were much more likely to have their cancer spread and it also increased the likelyhood of death than women who were not low in vitamin D at the time of their diagnosis. So what does this mean?
Breast cancer cells have vitamin D receptors. If vitamin D can inhibit or slow down the cancer cell’s aggressive tendencies, it may give a woman an effective tool to use; to help have a more positive outcome during her treatment. Increasing some short term time in the sun may be beneficial; people who live in the northern hemisphere are have a higher incidence of cancer. This may be in relation to being farther away from the sun and it’s effects on the body.
Can the idea of vitamin D levels prevent cancer? Hmmmm…it is like anything else…you must have balance. Just as low levels of vitamin D can allow the cancer to grow and spread; too much vitamin D can also have devastating effects. Blood tests are going to become more crucial to understanding the effects of vitamin D on cancer cells.
Milk in the United States is vitamin D fortified. Many juices and cereals are also fortified with vitamin D. Increasing sun exposure safely will also raise the blood level of vitamin D. If we are wise, this new information on the importance of blood levels of vitamin D can be used to improve the statistics of cancer and recovery.
Some experts say that vitamin D levels can improve the statistics on prostrate, breast and colon cancer. It is somewhat exciting to think that something naturally occuring in the body can help defend it against cancer. Of course, as always…a follow up with your doctor is your best source of information regarding your health issues. See possibly related information here on Triple Negative Breast Cancer: https://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
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