In a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers found higher vitamin D concentrations in the blood are strongly linked to lower colorectal cancer risk.
The research is reported by the American Cancer Society.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the United States.
Vitamin D, known for its role in maintaining bone health, is hypothesized to lower colorectal cancer risk via several pathways related to cell growth and regulation.
Previous studies have shown inconsistent results for whether higher concentrations of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (the accepted measure of vitamin D status), are linked to lower risk of colorectal cancer.
In the study the team analyzed data collected before colorectal cancer diagnosis from 17 prospective cohorts and used standardized criteria across the studies.
The analysis included over 5,700 colorectal cancer cases and 7,100 controls from the United States, Europe, and Asia.
The team found that compared to participants with circulating vitamin D concentrations considered sufficient for bone health, those with deficient concentrations of vitamin D had a 31% higher risk of colorectal cancer during follow-up, which averaged 5.5 years.
Similarly, concentrations above bone health sufficiency were associated with a 22% lower risk. However, the risk did not continue to decline at the highest concentrations.
However, the link was stronger in women than men at concentrations above bone health sufficiency. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer is 4.2% (1 in 24) in women and 4.5% (1 in 22) in men.
Currently, health agencies do not recommend vitamin D for the prevention of colorectal cancer. This study adds new information that agencies can use when reviewing evidence for vitamin D guidance.
It suggests that the concentrations recommended for bone health may be lower than would be optimal for colorectal cancer prevention.
Vitamin D can be obtained in the diet, particularly from fortified foods, from supplements, and from sun exposure.
Experts recommend vitamin D be obtained through diet whenever possible because excessive ultraviolet radiation is a major risk factor for skin cancer.
If you care about colon cancer, please read studies about a new way to diagnose colon cancer and findings of aspirin may stop colon cancer growth and recurrence.
For more information about colon cancer treatment and prevention, please see recent studies about 5 things you should know about colon cancer and results showing that a new cause of colon cancer.
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