Vitamin D and skin cancer: what you need to know
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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Systematic intake of preparations containing vitamin D helps to prevent the development of skin cancer and, in particular, melanoma. This was stated by scientific representatives of Kuopio University Hospital and the University of Eastern Finland.
The role of vitamin D in many processes in the body is quite significant. Until now, the vitamin's involvement in skin carcinogenesis has been questioned. Thus, a little earlier scientists have already studied the effect of vitamin metabolite 25(OH)D3 on the probability of cancer development.
A new research project was organized in Northern Savonia in support of a skin cancer control program. The essence of the work was as follows: about five hundred adult participants at high risk of developing dermato-oncology (in particular melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) were recruited among visitors to the dermatology outpatient clinic of the Kuopio University Hospital. The participants were of different age categories, ranging from 21 to 79 years. Men and women were approximately equally divided, and about one hundred patients with diagnosed immunosuppressive conditions were also present.
Specialists studied the medical histories of all participants, analyzed anamnestic data and dermatoscopy results. As a result, the patients were divided into several groups, depending on their risk of developing dermato-oncology: low, moderate and high risk groups were formed.
Three more groups were formed taking into account the additional intake of vitamin D preparations:
- Participants who do not use such medications;
- People who use vitamin D but not on a regular basis;
- leading constant intake of vitamin preparations.
The study found that patients who took vitamin D regularly were less likely to develop skin cancer than those who did not. Even in cases of irregular intake, the risks of melanoma development were significantly reduced.
At the same time, scientists tried to trace the relationship between the intake of vitamin preparations and the growth of nevi, the development of actinic keratosis and photoaging. There was such a connection, but it was insignificant.
The researchers expressed their confidence that systematic intake of vitamin D-containing vitamins is associated with a reduction in the incidence of melanoma and other skin cancers, although the causal mechanism has not yet been determined. In the future, scientists expect to solve the problem of selecting the most effective dosage of such drugs. To date, it is recommended to adhere to generally accepted norms and dosages.
The material is published on the Melanoma Research journal page Melanoma Research journal page.