Low vitamin d levels linked to more aggressive cancers of the breast (HealthDay)

patients with cancer with low levels of vitamin d have more aggressive tumors and poor results, a new study finds.

Experts say that new findings support that many oncologists suspected for a long time.

"He has been suspected that vitamin d is related to the health of breast somehow, even if the particular channel is still unknown,", said Dr. Laurie Kirstein, surgeon of the breast at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. "Many oncologists already are following levels of vitamin d in their patients with cancer and recommend supplements for low levels," added Kirstein, who was not involved in the new study. "To connect the levels of vitamin d to the aggressiveness of a particular type of breast cancer is an interesting conclusion;" one that should be validated with a controlled trial. ?

In the study, which will be presented Friday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, a team of the clinic of the University of Rochester (URMC) followed by 155 women who underwent surgery for cancer between January and September 2010.

The team examined the blood tests which provide levels of vitamin d for all patients in the period of one year before and after surgery. Also analyzed data on relevant patient breast cancer, such as age, race, the stage of cancer diagnosis, status of menopause, the expression of the genes and the State of estrogen and progesterone.

Researchers have found an association between low vitamin D (less than 32 milligrams per milliliter of blood) levels and poor scores on each major biological marker used to predict the outcome of the breast cancer patient.

"The magnitude of the conclusions was somewhat surprising," lead investigator Luke j. Peppone, radio-oncology research assistant professor, said in a press release URMC. "Based on these results, physicians strongly should monitor levels of vitamin d in the patients with breast cancer and correct as necessary."

Another expert said the findings raise a red flag, but a study more may be necessary.

"It seems to increase evidence connecting the levels of vitamin d and breast cancer," said Dr. Sharon M. Rosenbaum Smith, a surgeon breast full breast Center at St. Luke's - Roosevelt Medical Center in New York. "This study certainly shows another link between the two." However, a direct relationship of cause and effect has not been proven. This study certainly suggests that continued optimization of the level of vitamin d a patient can be advantageous. ?

Vitamin d is found in some foods, but humans synthesize most of the nutrients that they need the action of the Sun on exposed skin. Supplements may also stimulate vitamin d levels.

Rochester team said that their study was one of the first to examine the link between levels of vitamin d and breast cancer progression. Previous studies have concentrated on vitamin d deficiency and risk of development of cancer only.

According to the head of the study Peppone, more research is needed to learn more about the biological basis of the association between vitamin d and breast cancer results, but this study shows the importance of checking the levels of vitamin d in patients with breast cancer.

Experts point out that research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a refereed journal.