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Low vitamin D levels increase risk of aggressive breast cancer

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Women with low levels of vitamin D may have the greatest risk of receiving a positive breast cancer test for an aggressive tumor that is life threatening, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

After studying the medical records of 194 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, the team found that those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 2.5 times more likely to have an aggressive form of the disease, according to Medscape Today.

The researchers recommended frequent vitamin D testing for women who have been diagnosed or are at risk of developing breast cancer.

"Based on these results, doctors should strongly consider monitoring vitamin D levels among breast cancer patients and correcting them as needed," lead researcher Luke Peppone told the news source.

The researchers added that vitamin D levels have previously been connected to long-term survival rates in breast cancer patients.

Discounting melanoma, breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, more than 40,000 women die from the condition.