Sunlight May Reduce Advanced Breast Cancer Risk By 50%
Compared to women who stay indoors, women with more exposure to sunlight have only half the chance of developing advanced breast cancer, which is cancer that has spread beyond the breast.
But this seems to happen for women with naturally light skin only.
According to researchers from the University of Southern California and Wake Forest University, the vitamin D that we get from sunshine may be important in slowing down the spread of breast cancer cells.
The scientists believe this effect was not seen in women with naturally darker skin because the sun produces up to 10 times more vitamin D in light-skinned women.
These results are consistent with an earlier study showing that women with regular sun exposure have less chance of developing breast cancer as compared to women who stay indoors.
The researchers caution women to avoid sunbathing, though, because of the risks of skin cancer.
But there are other ways to get vitamin D: supplements, fatty fish, or fortified foods such as milk, some cereals and fruit juices.
More studies need to be done.
But if they are consistent with this study, then an increase in vitamin D from diet and supplements may be a safer way to reduce breast cancer risk than too much sun exposure.
Technorati Tags: breast cancer, vitamin D
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Didn’t you just write about drinking milk to stop the spread of breast cancer? Maybe the vitamin d is what milk helps with, too. All of these ways of helping with breast cancer are so easy, it’s worth a try.
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I know this post isn’t directed to men, but I think we’re all running too scared if we’re afraid to get a little sun. If sunlight can help women with breast cancer, then get some sun.
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
I wonder if vitamin D would work with other forms of cancer besides breast cancer?
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
This almost makes it sound like cancer is caused by a vitamin deficiency.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Just cuz a vitamin helps doesn’t mean you have a deficiency, it just sounds like a way to make your body stronger against the cancer.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Fighting cancer wears your body down as fighting against any illness would. It’s not surprising that we need more vitamins and better nutrition to fight back.