Is the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer Influenced by Low Vitamin D Levels?
According to some data from The National Cancer Institute (NCI), around 12.4% of women will get breast cancer at some point in their life. Across the world, this is the most common type of cancer in women. Advancing age and obesity after menopause are some of the main risk factors. In the last couple of years, there have been several studies that talked about the importance and effects of vitamin D in connection with breast cancer risk.
A new study confirms what was known so far
A new study paper that was published in the journal Menopause of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) reinforces what was already knew before from evidence that was gathered by previous research. Previous studies have indicated that women who have low levels of vitamin D after the menopause onset have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Now, based on the findings of the new study from Brazil, similar conclusions have been reached by researchers from the Sao Paulo State University, who analyzed medical data of 627 Brazilian women, with ages between 45 and 75.
Cancer cell growth might be stopped by vitamin D
The participant women in the new study were divided into two groups: 418 cancer-free women and 209 that were already diagnosed with breast cancer. All the volunteers had to have stopped menstruating for the last 12 months at least. The researchers stated that the women who had breast cancer had high rates of low serum vitamin D, as well as a high body mass index or obesity, compared to the other women who did not have cancer.
After taking various factors into consideration in order to calculate the risks, the team reached the conclusion that women with breast cancer had a 1.5-fold higher risk than women who did not have cancer to develop low vitamin D levels. The authors of the study assume that suitable levels of vitamin D in the body could help lowering the risk of cancer.
As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.
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