THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE – What could knowing your vitamin D level do for your breast cancer risk and survival?

There have been many studies demonstrating a lower risk of breast cancer diagnosis and death when women raise their vitamin D levels. The similar findings between all these studies emphasizes the importance of improving vitamin D status for reducing the risk of breast cancer and increasing chances of survival with diagnosis. Below are some of the key published findings on the topic of breast cancer and vitamin D for reducing the risk of breast cancer and improving breast cancer outcomes.

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Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Prevention

Vitamin D plays an important role in breast cancer prevention; an estimated 75% of breast cancer (adenocarcinoma) could be due to vitamin D deficiency, and therefore, easily prevented with vitamin D alone. Several studies, including those published using GrassrootsHealth cohort data, have demonstrated the relationship between vitamin D status and the risk of breast cancer.

• Lowe et al. (2005) found an 83% Lower Breast Cancer Risk with a Vitamin D Level of 60 vs. 20 ng/ml
• Abbas et al. (2007) found a 69% Lower Breast Cancer Risk with Vitamin D Level of 30 vs. 12 ng/ml
• McDonnell et al. (2018) found an 82% Lower Breast Cancer Risk with Vitamin D Level of 60 vs. 20 ng/ml
• Song et al. (2019) found a 71% Lower Breast Cancer Risk with Vitamin D Level of 60 vs. 20 ng/ml

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Vitamin D and Outcomes Among Women with Breast Cancer

Research also demonstrates that it is not too late to affect outcomes with vitamin D, even after a breast cancer diagnosis.

• Yao et al. (2021) found a 27% Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Death, a 21% Lower Risk of Recurrence-Free Death, and an 18% Lower Risk of Invasive Disease-Free Death with Vitamin D Levels of 30 ng/ml vs. 20 ng/ml or Lower at the Time of Diagnosis
• Madden et al. (2018) found a 49% Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Death with Vitamin D Supplementation Initiated within 6 Months of Diagnosis
• Mohr et al. (2014) found a 44% Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Related Death with Vitamin D Levels of 30 ng/ml vs.17 ng/ml among Breast Cancer Patients…

…in fact, the vitamin D level accounted for 97% of the variance of the relationship between vitamin D level and breast cancer fatality (meaning it made almost all the difference)!

Omega-3s, Magnesium, Selenium, and Vitamin C are Among Other Nutrients That Can Affect Breast Cancer Risk and Outcomes

Other nutrients are also important for reducing risk of breast cancer and improving outcomes among women who get breast cancer. Studies have shown

• an approximately 40% lower breast cancer risk with higher omega-3 intake (Zheng et al. 2013)
• 40% lower breast cancer risk among women with a higher magnesium intake vs a lower magnesium intake (Huang et al. 2019)
• 58% lower risk of breast cancer death with higher levels of selenium (Demircan et al. 2021)
• 15% lower breast cancer mortality with vitamin C (Harris et al. 2014)

Take Action Today and Measure Your Levels of the Above – While Contributing to Vitamin D & Breast Cancer Research!

Based on the findings presented above, measuring your levels of vitamin D, magnesium, selenium, and omega-3s may help determine if more of these nutrients might be needed to provide the greatest risk reduction for breast cancer and improve outcomes in the case of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Create your custom home blood spot kit with the following measurements to help determine if you are getting enough of the following nutrients shown to benefit your current or future breast health:

• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 Index
• Magnesium PLUS Elements
• Add hsCRP as a marker of inflammation

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.

Jen Aliano

Director