Vitamin D

http://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2014-03-06-vitamin-D-and-breast-cancer-survival.aspx

Vitamin D Increases Breast Cancer Patient
Survival 

 oops - looks like the same article -- very popular in the news! 

I hit a low of 18 nmol/l five years ago. I don't really know what it was at diagnosis. Now I am up to 127! So supplementation at the doctor's office worked for me. That's about 7 (!!) and 50 in ng/ml.  

Mine's been at 20 even with taking 1000 a day for the last two years.  I'm almost at chemo now so MO has had me take 50,000 IU for the last four weeks, once a week.  I will be curious to see where I'm at now!

Good article, Momine - mine was 30 and now 58.  I take 6000 IU daily in liquid form beneath tongue.

Vitamin D

Aug 23, 2013 06:57PM LaurenN wrote:

Can high levels of vitamin D help to prevent breast cancer?l

The Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Mar. 18 2013, 2:48 PM EDT
Could a drop in vitamin D levels circulating in a woman’s bloodstream predispose her to breast cancer? Some U.S. researchers believe the answer to this question can be found in blood samples collected and stored by the American military.
In total, nine million vials of blood were drawn from members of the U.S. armed forces from 2002 to 2008 as part of a routine monitoring program for infectious diseases. The samples were usually collected every two years.

Link to this article and numerous related articles:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fit...

Aug 7, 2013 11:44PM LaurenN wrote:

Momcat1962....re Vitamin D information

Hopkins Breast Centre, Baltimore, MD
Ask Your PCP to Test Your Vitamin D Level - Here's Why
By Lillie Shockney, R.N., M.A.S.
Mar 17, 2013
Blood analysis studies of 1,200 healthy women found that those women whose serum vitamin D levels were low during the three-month period just before their diagnosis with breast cancer had approximately three times the risk of breast cancer as women in the highest vitamin D group. These findings were published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control.
Several previous studies have shown that low serum levels of vitamin D are associated with a higher risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. This report stated that while the mechanisms by which vitamin D could prevent breast cancer are not fully understood, this research suggests that the association with low vitamin D in the blood is strongest late in the development of the cancer—that is, just before the cancer is detected and diagnosed.
Scientists have hypothesized that this time period (late in a tumor’s development) is likely to be the point at which the tumor may be most actively recruiting the blood vessels required for tumor growth. Based on this new information, further investigation is now needed on how vitamin D reduces the incidence of pre-menopausal breast cancer, particularly during the late phases of its development. Such research will be taking place.
The new study drew upon nine million blood-serum specimens frozen by the Department of Defense Serum Repository for routine disease surveillance. The researchers thawed and analyzed pre-diagnostic samples of serum from 1,200 women whose blood was drawn in the same time frame—from 600 women who later developed breast cancer and 600 women who remained healthy.
It was estimated that a serum vitamin D level of 50 nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/ml) is associated with a 50-percent lower risk of breast cancer. While there are some variations in women’s ability to absorb this vitamin, those who consume 4,000 IU per day of vitamin D from food or a supplement will normally reach a serum level of 50 ng/ml.
The authors’ recommendation for patients/consumers was NOT to rely solely on a pill form of the different forms of vitamin D, such as vitamin D2—better to get this vitamin through sunshine exposure and certain foods rich in vitamin D. There are situations, however, where a woman’s blood level of vitamin D is so low that her doctor will prescribe megadoses in the short term, so as to bring her level up to within the normal range.

Do Vitamins, Herbs, and OTC Remedies Affect Cancer Treatment?
By Lillie Shockney, R.N., M.A.S.
Apr 14, 2013
It seems that, just because we can buy these products without a prescription, they are considered harmless. But they sometimes can in fact harm you, especially if you are embarking on breast-cancer treatment.
Here are some examples:
Taking vitamin E prior to a core breast biopsy, or any breast surgical procedure, can result in excessive bleeding, even hemorrhaging, because this vitamin contains a blood-thinning product substance. So does aspirin.
Those taking adriamycin, a common breast-cancer chemo drug, should never take vitamin C tablets during the entire time period (months) they are receiving this drug intravenously. Vitamin C will actually undo the benefits of getting the chemo.
What about herbs?
We really have no solid, scientifically based, proven research about the effects of any of the herbs, as far as whether or not they are okay to take together with cancer treatments of any kind.
So before you start taking—or continue to take—any complementary medicines, please inform your doctors. Don't assume that because they are easily available without a prescription that they are fine to take. Don't jeopardize your health in that way.

I had salmon last night too. It's my favorite fish in any form, except over cooked. I rarely eat it in restaurants, except as sushi/sashimi or ceviche as too many places over cook it. Older dd made it for me last night, with quinoa. She marinates it for about 1 hour in soy, ginger and maple syrup and them bakes it for a short time. Warm but still only slightly cooked on the inside, lovely glaze on the outside.

Caryn

I don't doubt the studies about Vit D but I am confused about one thing. If it were such a big factor, wouldn't you see more breast cancer cases in Northern areas than Southern areas? I mean, wouldn't North Dakota have sky-high rates of breast cancer and Florida very low? Or it is about how we as individuals absorb it? Personally, I was getting a lot of sunshine during the five years prior to my diagnosis. Again, not doubting, just trying to understand all the pieces of the puzzle.

i thought someone mentioned earlier that her doc was wondering that too and thought it's more of chicken or egg first theory...

from what my int doc told me and what i've read here, there's def a link between vit D and BC. the majority of us had vit D deficiency when diagnosed. 

That is totally true about the sunscreen, SunflowersMA. I wonder if I may have done my kids a disservice by being so adamant about their wearing sunscreen all the time. 

I also saw a study of Hawaiian surfers and skateboarders who spent 15 hours a week in the sun for the three months before the study, and their levels ranged between 11 and 71 ng when tested, so it seems there's a lot of variation even if you are getting a lot of sun.

Can't remember where I read this, but think AGE may be a factor in ability to absorb Vitamin D too.  I know it is in absorption of B12.  So many variables.  

Also, know a few women with and without bc, who have had problems with parathyroid gland ( not thyroid, but parathyroid, which I'd never even know of b4 friends told me) which malfunctioning can effect blood levels of Vitamin D.