The researchers conclude: “This study shows a strong association between 25(OH)D levels and cause-specific mortality in patients with prostate cancer. The strength of the association indicates that prostate cancer patients can benefit from increasing the level of serum 25(OH)D if it is below 50 nmol/l.”
MedWire News: Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) play a role in prostate cancer disease progression and are a potential prognostic indicator, Norwegian study findings suggest.
MedWire News: Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, has been found to induce the tumor-suppressing protein CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)α, which can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, researchers report.
The Author
The author of this site is the British writer, John Davidson.
Please note that the author is neither a doctor, nor a qualified health practitioner. Every cancer patient should always consult his or her medical practitioner with regard to the use of complementary remedies or treatments, and nothing on this site should be construed in any way as medical or therapeutic advice. It is simply the result of one person's search for solutions. Please read our disclaimer.
About This Site
Internet searches trawl up vast amounts of information about cancer, from a broad spectrum of viewpoints. The information and internet links on this site are for those seeking to augment the treatment offered by their hospital oncology (cancer) unit. Of course, a great many other internet sites concerning cancer can be found by keying the requisite search words into any of the major search engines.
The content of this site was initially prepared, at the request of medical and nursing staff and others, some weeks after I had had an emergency operation for the removal of a colon cancer, and while undergoing chemotherapy in case any cancer cells had gone AWOL. There had been some escape of cancer cells into associated lymph nodes (3 out of 17, including the most distal), but no other tumours had been picked up by a CT scan.
When I returned home from hospital in September 2005, with the help of friends, I started doing some research on cancer. I was amazed to discover that despite the billions of pounds/euros/dollars etc. spent on cancer research, and the many advances in understanding the numerous variants of the disease, the standard treatment for my stage of colon cancer is still a drug (fluorouracil, also called 5FU) that has been in use for more than forty years, has uncomfortable side effects, and which only increases the chances of survival after five years by 5 to 10%.
Dietary vitamin D and cancers of the oral cavity and esophagus.
Lipworth L, Rossi M, McLaughlin JK, Negri E, Talamini R, Levi F, Franceschi S, La Vecchia C.
Ann Oncol. 2009 Sep;20(9):1576-81. Epub 2009 Jun 1.
PMID: 19487490
Conclusion: We observed inverse associations between dietary vitamin D intake and risk of SCCE and, perhaps, oral/pharyngeal cancer, which were most pronounced among heavy current smokers and heavy consumers of alcohol.
Caution regarding 25-hydroxyvitamin D monitoring in women with breast cancer.
Chlebowski RT.
J Clin Oncol. 2009 Aug 20;27(24):e72-3; author reply e74. Epub 2009 Jul 20.
PMID: 1962047
High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency despite supplementation in premenopausal women with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
Crew KD, Shane E, Cremers S, McMahon DJ, Irani D, Hershman DL.
J Clin Oncol. 2009 May 1;27(13):2151-6. Epub 2009 Apr 6.
PMID: 19349547
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2008.19.6162
Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in women with breast cancer. The current recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D is too low to increase serum 25-OHD greater than 30 ng/mL. Optimal dosing for bone health and, possibly, improved survival has yet to be determined.
Prognostic effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in early breast cancer.
Goodwin PJ, Ennis M, Pritchard KI, Koo J, Hood N.
J Clin Oncol. 2009 Aug 10;27(23):3757-63. Epub 2009 May 18.
PMID: 19451439
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2008.20.0725
Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with poor outcomes in breast cancer.
Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin d levels and survival in patients with colorectal cancer.
Ng K, Meyerhardt JA, Wu K, Feskanich D, Hollis BW, Giovannucci EL, Fuchs CS.
J Clin Oncol. 2008 Jun 20;26(18):2984-91.
PMID: 18565885
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2007.15.1027
Conclusion Among patients with colorectal cancer, higher prediagnosis plasma 25(OH)D levels were associated with a significant improvement in overall survival. Further study of the vitamin D pathway and its influence on colorectal carcinogenesis and cancer progression is warranted.
Li H, Stampfer MJ, Hollis JBW, Mucci LA, Gaziano JM, et al. (2007)
A Prospective Study of Plasma Vitamin D Metabolites, Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms, and Prostate Cancer.
PLoS Med 4(3): e103
doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040103
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