title: Breast cancer survivors and vitamin D: a review.
abstract: Recent evidence has suggested a role for vitamin D in breast cancer prevention and survival. Studies have reported an inverse relation between vitamin D intake and the risk of breast cancer, improvements in survival after a diagnosis of breast cancer in women with higher levels of vitamin D, and vitamin D insufficiency in up to 75% of women with breast cancer. Preclinical data have indicated that vitamin D affects up to 200 genes that influence cellular proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, terminal differentiation of normal and cancer cells, and macrophage function. Vitamin D receptors have been found in up to 80% of breast cancers, and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms have been associated with differences in survival. Although ongoing studies have investigated a possible link between adequate levels of vitamin D and improved cancer prognosis, breast cancer survivors may derive additional, non-cancer-related benefits from adequate vitamin D levels, including improvements in bone mineral density, quality of life, and mood. Maintaining adequate vitamin D stores is recommended for breast cancer survivors throughout their lifetime.
authors.affiliation: Division of Consultative and Diagnostic Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA. hines.stephanie@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hines
authors.forename: H Keels S
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Jorn
authors.forename: Kristine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D