Vitamin D is not associated with decreased melanoma risk
At the Society for Investigative Dermatology meeting, researchers from Kaiser Permanente, in Oakland, California reported some confusing findings.
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer. Although it accounts for only 4% of skin cancer cases, it causes most skin cancer-related deaths. The good news is that it’s curable if caught early.
First, the details.
- 68,611 adults participated in the Vitamins and Cohort Lifestyle (VITAL) study.
- The effect of diet and vitamin D supplements alone and together were evaluated.
- Food frequency questionnaires were used to determine dietary intake of vitamin D and other nutrients during the preceding year.
- Data on vitamin supplement use over the preceding 10 years were also collected.
- Total vitamin D intake from dietary and supplemental sources was then calculated for a 10-year period and compared with melanoma cases from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) database.
And, the results.
- Most participants were taking an additional 600 IU of vitamin D daily as a supplement.
- There was no association between overall supplement use or duration of use with an increased or decreased risk of melanoma.
- There was no association with melanoma risk when supplements were combined with diet.
- There was a slightly increased risk of melanoma with diet alone.
The bottom line?
It’s not clear why diet alone was associated with a higher risk of melanoma.
Although there was no apparent protection, it’s possible that the levels of vitamin D were too low.
Others have suggested that there’s a decreased risk of melanoma with increasing intake of vitamin D from foods.
5/16/09 15:09 JR