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• Glenys

  

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  October 24, 2012 6:39:28 PM WATime

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  VITAMIN D AND BREAST CANCER RISK

   

   

  Increasingly research into Vitamin D levels (particularly low levels) have been linked to various conditions. This is a relatively new area of research with emerging information. New information has now been released regarding a possible breast cancer link ...

   

   

  Vitamin D levels are associated with exposure to sunlight. In Australia we would not think Vitamin D deficiency could be a problem! However, advice in recent years has been to avoid the sun due to risks associated with skin cancers and other problems (we all know sunburn is not good!!), the 'slip, slop, slap' message has worked well and led to many people having less exposure to sunlight. An unfortunate consequence of this seems to be a general lowering of Vitamin D levels in the population - which may have consequences relating to health .. and possibly breast cancer risk included.

   

   

  News article released today (24th October 2012) regarding research at Westmead Breast Cancer Institue: Breast cancer risk higher in south | Perth Now

   

   

  A very informative brochure about Vit D and breast cancer from Westmead Breast Cancer Institute: www.bci.org.au/images/stories/about_bc/factsheets/factsheets2012/BCI_Vitamin_D_AW_V2_WEB.pdf

   

   

  More information will be posted as it becomes available ...

   

   

  Cheers, Glenys (Click Breast Care Nurse) xx

   

  This post was edited by Glenys at October 24, 2012 6:39:28 PM WATime"

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• MelRom

  

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  May 30, 2013 8:34:44 PM WATime

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  Interesting article... I have just had my bloods come back with low Vit D and so now must take even more pills. I don't get out in the sun anywhere near as much as before cancer.Find that interesting.

  49 YO mother of 2, DX MAR 11, 2 tumours, 2 cancers and I'm a fighting to win!!  I take Tamoxifen every day and hope this will keep the little cancer critters away!  

• Fotofairy

  

  • 5 posts
  May 31, 2013 10:56:14 AM WATime

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  I was diagnosed as having low Vit D just before I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer..... hmmmm
  

  42 YO, Diagnosed Jan 2013. Stage IIb grade 3 IDC tumor. Lumpectomy, Sentinel node study 1/3, Auxilary disection 0/9. TAC chemotherapy about to do round 5 out of 6.

• Glenys

  

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  May 31, 2013 8:29:21 PM WATime

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  I am sure we will be hearing more about Vit D in the near future .. hopefully to clarify the true nature of its effect on health (risk of breast cancer in particular).
  
  Increasingly Vitamin D is encouraged to be taken as a supplement along with Calcium to reduce risk of osteoporosis after menopause, and in particular when taking an Aromatase Inhibitor after breast cancer treatment (e.g. Arimidex, Letrozole). The associated effect of low levels of Vit D is well established in this case. However Vit D blood levels are often not routinely tested, and many people do not know if their level is low.
  
  The actual range considered to be ‘normal’ is also under debate, with many new opinions reflecting that previous accepted levels are now thought to be too low. The brochure on Breast Cancer & Vitamin D published by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute (per link in previous post above) provides the following information:
  
  “What should my level of vitamin D be?
  Many people who live in Australia have blood levels of vitamin D that are too low, primarily because people spend less time outdoors (with less sun exposure) than Australians in the past. This is a particular problem in the winter months as the sun’s rays are not as strong as they are in the summer months. Blood levels of vitamin D above 50 nmol/L are traditionally thought to be high enough but many experts believe that vitamin D levels should be above 75 nmol/L to help prevent disease.
  
  How much vitamin D do I need?
  The daily recommended intake for vitamin D varies according to your age. The Institute of Medicine in the USA now recommends 600 international units (IU) for people under 70 years, and 800 IU for people over 70. However many experts believe these recommendations are too low to prevent disease and they advise an intake of at least 1000 IU of vitamin D daily to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as breast cancer.
  This vitamin D can come from sun exposure or food and supplements.
  
  For reference tables providing criteria for Vit D deficiency levels and sources of Vit D, refer to brochure. Another site with information: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589256_7
  
  A journal article published by The American Association for Cancer Research provides discussion of Vit D and breast cancer risk – see http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/15/8/1427.full
  
  Ensuring your Vit D levels are not deficient is highly recommended. If not had levels checked, discuss with your GP or treating team.
  Vit D may not be associated with breast cancer .. then again, it may. As Fotofairy said … hmmmmmm
  
  xx
  

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Diane

  

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  December 31, 2013 1:43:33 PM WATime

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  Interesting. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2010 and now breast cancer 2 months back.

  59 YO wife and mother, DX Nov 2013, 37 mm grade 2 duct carcinoma.  LB mastectomy, 4 lymph nodes with metastases, O & P strongly positive nuclei receptor. 13 Jan FEC begun.

• Diane

  

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  January 3, 2014 11:22:35 AM WATime

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  My last Vit D test came back as 64 but now I'm thinking maybe I should be taking 2 tablets per day instead of the one. I'm a keen gardener and I walk daily.

  59 YO wife and mother, DX Nov 2013, 37 mm grade 2 duct carcinoma.  LB mastectomy, 4 lymph nodes with metastases, O & P strongly positive nuclei receptor. 13 Jan FEC begun.

• Glenys

  

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  January 3, 2014 1:42:48 PM WATime

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  Depends how long you've been taking Vit D supplements Diane, and whether this has made any difference? Increasing to 2000 IU (or more) may be needed to boost the levels up to within the 'normal range'.
  Personally I had a level of ~50 and was advised to take 10,000 IU per day for a few weeks - which did raise levels to over 100. Then I reduced to 2000 IU per day for maintenance.
  May be worth a chat with your doctor to see what is best for you ..
  xxx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 1, 2014 6:22:10 PM WATime

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  I've been taking 6000IU per day (6 drops in water) for about 4 yrs and my VitD levels are good at the last check.
  

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Ness

  

  • 81 posts
  May 28, 2014 7:46:30 PM WATime

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  Here is a fact sheet on Vitamin D and breast cancer that Jado kindly pointed us too as well....
  http://www.bci.org.au/images/stories/about_bc/factsheets/factsheets2012/BCI_Vitamin_D_AW_V2_WEB.pdf

  The Click Project Coordinator
  

  Daughter-in-law and niece of breast cancer "thrivers"!

• Sandi

  

  • 7 posts
  June 18, 2014 2:43:23 PM WATime

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  I was diagnosed with severely low vitamin D about 8 years ago. Since then I've suffered major depression, breast cancer and more recently found out I have osteoporosis. Oh to have been aware of my vitamin D deficiency 15 years ago!!

  45 YO wife & mother. DX Nov 2011 aged 42, 17mm grade 3 IDC ER+ PR+ 6/14 lymph nodes +, wide local excision followed by right axillary clearance 23/11/11. 3 x FEC then 3 x Docetaxil, 6 weeks rads finished June 2012 & now 5 yrs Tamoxifen.

• Gazel

  

  • 4 posts
  January 7, 2015 12:14:17 PM WATime

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  That was an interesting fact about the relation between Vitamin D and breast cancer. I have been told by my GP that I have vitamin D deficiency and knowing the fact that I have the family history of breast cancer, made me to take this deficiency serious and get the screening done.

  Gazel- ECU Intern and moderator- 33 years old- Grand daugter of a gorgoues lady who experienced breast cancer.

• jado

  

  • 10 posts
  February 17, 2015 8:11:19 PM WATime

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  Gazel said:
  That was an interesting fact about the relation between Vitamin D and breast cancer. I have been told by my GP that I have vitamin D deficiency and knowing the fact that I have the family history of breast cancer, made me to take this deficiency serious and get the screening done.

  68 YO mother of two adult daughters. DX April 2012. Ca right breast.   10mm Grade 2.  IDC. 0/2 nodes. ER/PR pos.   Nodes clear. Wide local excision. Radiotherapy 6 weeks. Tamoxifen to be taken for 5 years. Moderate breast lymphoedema continuing, now Oct 2014..