This month, to highlight prevention during Breast Cancer Awareness month, we have featured several studies showing a nearly 70% or greater reduced risk of breast cancer with higher vitamin D levels. One of the studies shared on breast cancer mortality concluded that the vitamin D level of breast cancer patients accounted for 97% of the variance in mortality outcomes – meaning the vitamin D level made almost all the difference.

Results from many studies on vitamin D, cancer risk and outcomes, and other key nutrients and lifestyle habits, such as omega-3s and exercise, magnesium, and selenium are summarized in our new eBooklet. One study by Shamsi et al. (reviewed below and included in the eBooklet) is just one example to demonstrate the strong relationship between vitamin D, sunshine, and breast cancer risk.

A 2020 study by Shamsi et al. found that lower vitamin D levels among women, and certain lifetime sun avoidance behaviors, resulted in a higher risk of breast cancer diagnosis. Their matched case control study evaluated data from 411 women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer and compared it to 784 controls who were free of breast or any other cancer. Vitamin D levels were taken from samples obtained within 30 days of cancer diagnosis and prior to chemotherapy. Those with levels below 12 ng/ml (30 nmol/L) were labeled as severely deficient, between 12-19 ng/ml (30-49 nmol/L) as deficient, 20-30 ng/ml (50-75 nmol/L) as insufficient, and greater than 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/L) as sufficient. Questionnaires assessed previous vitamin D intake and estimated lifetime sun exposure and behaviors.

The study found that

• while vitamin D deficiency was high among both groups, those with breast cancer had a higher incidence of both severe vitamin D deficiency (39% vs 33%) and deficiency (29% vs 24%) compared to controls
• women with vitamin D deficiency (below 20 ng/ml) had a 65% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women with vitamin D sufficiency (above 30 ng/ml) (p=0.02)
• women who supplemented with vitamin D one year prior to study enrollment had a 68% decreased risk of breast cancer (p=<0.001)
• women who practiced sun avoidance behavior or with minimal exposure to sunlight due to their outside attire (who wore the chadder and/or burqa) all had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not avoid sun exposure or who did not wear those types of clothing

This study concludes

“vitamin D deficiency is an easily modifiable risk factor for reducing the incidence of breast cancer.”

The Moss Report: “Vitamin D and Cancer with William B. Grant, PhD”

Approximately 42 minutes

Podcast Summary

A brief summary of this Moss Report podcast can be found here. For the full transcript, visit vitamindwiki.com.

Dr. Grant takes 5,000 IU daily, is at 60 ng/ml (150 nmol/L) (14:12)

One doctor prescribes 50,000 IU weekly for Cancer (D2) (20:02)

A discussion about dosing and toxicity... One person accidentally took 1,000,000 IU daily for a while and got to 900 ng (32:32)

Listen in to what happened…

Suspect getting people to 60-70 ng level would eliminate $50 billion of US Cancer treatments (36:15)

“…it looks like half of the cancer rates could be reduced by bringing people up to 60, 70 nanograms per milliliter, that could wipe fifty billion dollars off the industry”

Disinformation Playbook (37:53)

“And as opposed to pharmaceutical drugs, vitamin D has mainly health benefits. Reduced risk of diabetes, respiratory infections, autoimmune diseases, falls and fractures, dementia et cetera, et cetera… And the cost is ridiculously low. So it’s got everything going for it. So I guess this is a word to the wise people who are listening to this podcast, they should take this to heart and look into this some more.”

Take steps for your own health to ensure optimal vitamin D levels – for your family and loved ones as well – by measuring at home today.

Did you know that everyone responds differently to vitamin D supplement amounts - by up to 6 times!?

Your health could be greatly affected by making sure you have a vitamin D level of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L). Don't get stuck with low vitamin D levels - learn more about what might affect your level and response to supplementation, and the steps to take through each season to keep levels in your target range.

Carole Baggerly

Founder

Jen Aliano

Director