Vitamin D intake linked to lower risk of developing breast cancer
Genetic variations in the mechanism that the body uses to absorb vitamin D could increase the risk of breast cancer in women after their menopause, it has been claimed.
According to a new study published in the journal Breast Cancer Research, vitamin D intake was associated with a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Centre, in Heidleberg, studied 1,408 patients and 2,612 control patients.
They concluded that vitamin D controls calcium levels and can influence the differentiation of cells. This led them to believe that the vitamin may play some part in preventing cancerous cells from further developing.
Jenny Chang-Claude, of the Centre's Division of Cancer Epidemiology, noted that women with a specific genetic variant in their vitamin D receptor are also more likely to be at a higher risk of developing tumours, something that suggests the involvement of estrogen metabolism in the anti-cancer properties of the vitamin.
She said: "Further studies focusing on the influence of genetic variations on vitamin D receptor functionality, activity and concentration are now needed."
Genetic variations in the mechanism that the body uses to absorb vitamin D could increase the risk of breast cancer in women after their menopause, it has been claimed.
