| Based upon recent clinical research findings, Vitamin D | | | | study, breast cancer patients with a significant |
| is the only remaining vitamin that may have significant | | | | deficiency of Vitamin D were observed to be almost |
| cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention | | | | twice as likely (71 percent increased risk) to |
| properties. Recent large-scale prospective randomized | | | | experience a recurrence of their breast cancer, and |
| clinical research trials have not only failed to identify a | | | | they were 60 percent more likely to die, when |
| cancer prevention role (beyond a healthy balanced | | | | compared to the patients who had normal levels of |
| diet) for Vitamin E, Vitamin C, folate, and | | | | Vitamin D in their blood. |
| beta-carotene (a member of the Vitamin A family) | | | | Although this clinical study included relatively few |
| supplements, but data from these trials have strongly | | | | patients, it does, nonetheless, raise the possibility that |
| suggested an increased risk of adverse health | | | | a significant deficiency of Vitamin D may be |
| outcomes, at least in some sub-groups of patients, | | | | associated with a worse prognosis in patients with |
| with supplements of several of these vitamins. | | | | early-stage breast cancer. Another related finding in |
| Alas, as is typically the case with public health studies, | | | | this study was that very low levels of Vitamin D also |
| the clinical data regarding Vitamin D is not without | | | | appeared to be associated with breast tumors with |
| inconsistency, and the data on Vitamin D and cancer | | | | more aggressive features when examined under the |
| incidence has not been uniformly positive, either. | | | | microscope, which is consistent with other studies |
| However, multiple recent epidemiological and | | | | that have suggested a link between "high grade" |
| prospective clinical research studies have at least | | | | breast tumors and decreased blood levels of Vitamin |
| suggested that low levels of Vitamin D in our bodies | | | | D. At the same time, as I have already mentioned, |
| may, in fact, be associated with a higher risk of | | | | the available data regarding Vitamin D levels (and the |
| developing certain cancers (look for a more | | | | use of Vitamin D supplements) has not been |
| comprehensive review of the data on Vitamin D and | | | | consistent, and other clinical studies have failed to |
| cancer prevention in my forthcoming book, "A | | | | identify a link between Vitamin D and breast cancer |
| Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race"). | | | | risk. There is also some experimental data available |
| Moreover, decreased blood levels of Vitamin D also | | | | suggesting that very high levels of Vitamin D in the |
| appear to be linked to an increased risk of | | | | blood may also be associated with poorer outcomes |
| cardiovascular disease as well. | | | | in women with breast cancer (similar findings have |
| Now, a newly published prospective clinical research | | | | also been reported for excessive Vitamin D levels |
| trial suggests that decreased levels of Vitamin D in | | | | and cardiovascular disease outcomes). Taken |
| the blood appears to be associated with an increased | | | | together, the data from these various studies |
| risk of breast cancer recurrence, and death due to | | | | strongly suggest that there may be a fairly narrow |
| breast cancer, in women previously diagnosed with | | | | "optimal range" of Vitamin D levels in the blood that |
| early stage breast cancer. In this study, which has | | | | are associated with a decreased risk of breast |
| just been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, | | | | cancer, a decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence |
| 512 women with early-stage breast cancer, | | | | (and death), and a decreased risk of cardiovascular |
| diagnosed between 1989 and 1996, were | | | | disease; and that excessively high or low levels of |
| prospectively followed for an average of nearly 12 | | | | this vitamin may have adverse health effects in |
| years. Blood was routinely collected from all women | | | | these areas. |
| following their diagnosis of breast cancer, as a part | | | | The next obvious step is to conduct larger |
| of this clinical research trial. The women were then | | | | prospective clinical research trials that secretly |
| closely followed for recurrence of their breast cancer, | | | | randomize patient volunteers to receive various |
| and for death due to breast cancer and other | | | | doses of Vitamin D, versus placebo (sugar) pills. |
| causes. | | | | There are several such studies already underway (or |
| As with other similar studies, a surprisingly large | | | | about to start), involving both cancer patients and |
| number of these otherwise healthy women were | | | | patients without cancers. However, it will likely take |
| discovered to have decreased levels of Vitamin D in | | | | another 10 years for mature data to emerge from |
| their blood. In 38 percent of these women, Vitamin D | | | | these ongoing studies. Meanwhile, my advice is to eat |
| levels were significantly below normal levels, while | | | | a healthy and well-balanced diet. If you are a breast |
| another 39 percent of these women had mildly | | | | or prostate or colorectal cancer survivor, or if you |
| decreased levels of circulating Vitamin D. Among | | | | have one or more risk factors for these cancers (or |
| these 512 women, 116 experienced metastatic | | | | for cardiovascular disease), then you may also want |
| recurrence of their breast cancer during the course | | | | to ask your physician to measure the level of active |
| of this prospective clinical study, while 87 women | | | | Vitamin D in your blood. If you are significantly |
| died with evidence of recurrent breast cancer. | | | | deficient in Vitamin D, then your physician might |
| The results of this prospective clinical study were | | | | consider the possibility of Vitamin D supplementation |
| rather compelling. The 10-year survival rates for | | | | in conjunction with careful serial monitoring of your |
| these women with early-stage breast cancer varied | | | | Vitamin D levels. |
| significantly according to the level of Vitamin D in | | | | ___ |
| their blood. Survival at 10 years following breast | | | | Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to |
| cancer diagnosis was 74 percent, 85 percent, and 85 | | | | seek the advice of your physician before making any |
| percent for women with significantly deficient, mildly | | | | significant changes in medications, diet, or level of |
| deficient, and normal Vitamin D levels, respectively. | | | | physical activity. |
| Based upon the analysis of all of the data from this | | | | |