Study Suggests Vitamin D Improves Survival From Colorectal Cancer
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And the protective effects of vitamin D are not restricted to colorectal cancer. For example, a study on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in Feb 2007 concluded that “vitamin D may be associated with improved survival of patients with early-stage NSCLC, particularly among stage IB-IIB patients”.
Possible Limitations
The nature of the study could make its findings limited in some ways. For example, the sample size of the study, especially those who did die from colorectal cancer, was relatively small.
There were also variations in the time period between the point of vitamin D measurement and cancer diagnosis. In addition, information on the treatment taken by the cancer patients was not taken into account.
Then, there may be related factors which could contribute to the difference in survival rates. For example, those with higher vitamin D levels in their blood also tended to be physically more active.
However, even after physical activity, body-mass index (BMI) and other factors which influence cancer survival were controlled, the association between higher levels of vitamin D and better survival rates was still independently significant.
Thus, all in all, despite these limitations, the findings of the study are still important.
Previous Studies on Vitamin D and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer
The role of vitamin D in battling colorectal cancer becomes more pronounced when we consider its protective effects against the disease. As mentioned earlier, numerous other studies have already shown vitamin D to have a preventative effect on colorectal cancer.
For example, a pooled analysis of the results of five previous serum studies carried out by the University of California, San Diego in 2006 concluded that ‘the evidence to date suggests that daily intake of 1000-2000 IU of vitamin D(3) could reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer with minimal risk’.
In Jan 2007, the American Journal of Epidemiology reported the findings of a multi-ethnic study which “support the hypothesis of protective roles for calcium, vitamin D, and dairy products in the risk of colorectal cancer”.
Another study conducted by the National Cancer Center in Tokyo, Japan and published in July 2007 suggested that “a low level of plasma 25(OH)D may increase the risk of rectal cancer“.
Should Cancer Patients load up on Vitamin D?
Investigators involved in the NHS / HPFS study feel that it is premature to recommend vitamin D supplements as part of cancer treatment. Dr. Ng has advised that current sufferers of the disease should consult their doctors regarding vitamin supplementation, and she suggested that future studies should look at the use of vitamin D supplements by colorectal cancer patients.
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