Vitamin D in Cancer - CancerChoices



Vitamin D is a hormone created by the body when skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. It is found naturally in a small number of foods and can also be taken as a fat-soluble dietary supplement.

Vitamin D at a glance

Vitamin D is a hormone that is created by the body with ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure from the sun. It can also be taken as a fat-soluble supplement in either softgel or liquid form and is found naturally in some foods.

Some research has found that vitamin D in the body reaches an optimum level regarding cancer risk starting at 20 ng/mL and may have an upper limit below 40 ng/mL for men. Higher levels than that are not always better and may even carry risks. Upper limits of optimal levels are unknown for women. Blood levels below 20 ng/mL are considered deficient in vitamin D.

Optimal vitamin D blood levels are linked to better survival, better conditions—body terrainthe internal conditions of your body, including nutritional status, fitness, blood sugar balance, hormone balance, inflammation and more factors—that are linked to better cancer outcomes, and lower risk of cancer. Optimal levels are also linked to fewer symptoms or less severe symptoms of some side effects common during cancer treatment. Vitamin D supplementation among people who have low blood levels shows benefits.

Use of some chemotherapy drugs is linked to lower plasma levels of vitamin D. Other drugs are also linked to low vitamin D levels, such as H2 blockers and rosuvastatin.1Gao Y, Shimizu M, Yamada S, Ozaki Y, Aso T. The effects of chemotherapy including cisplatin on vitamin D metabolism. Endocrine Journal. 1993 Dec;40(6):737-42; Fakih MG, Trump DL et al. Chemotherapy is linked to severe vitamin D deficiency in patients with colorectal cancer. International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 2009 Feb;24(2):219-24; Jacot W, Pouderoux S et al. Increased prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Research and  Treatment. 2012 Jul;134(2):709-17. You might want to have your vitamin D levels checked before, during, and after using chemotherapy. If your levels are low before starting chemotherapy, talk with your doctor about using vitamin D supplements.

CancerChoices ratings for vitamin D

We rate vitamin D on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest. We rate the strength of the evidence supporting the use of vitamin D for a medical benefit, such as improving treatment outcomes or managing side effects.

See how we evaluate and rate complementary therapies ›

5

Improving treatment outcomes

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5

Optimizing your body terrain

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3

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

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5

Reducing cancer risk

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3

Use by integrative oncology experts

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3

Safety

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5

Affordability and access

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Keep reading about vitamin D

Authors

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Dr. Ryan served as a research associate for CancerChoices. She is a licensed and board certified naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Oregon. Dr. Ryan is the founder of Gentle Natural Wellness, a clinic specializing in bridging classical Chinese medicine with naturopathic medicine to provide individualized, compassionate care for people in the community. A Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine with honors from the National University of Natural Medicine, research in medical anthropology at the University of Hawai’i and George Mason University, language and culture programs at Obirin University (Tokyo) and Sogang University (Seoul), and studies of Chinese herbal medicine and qigong in China have provided a diverse background that has helped form a foundation for her community health and healing path.

Emily Ryan, ND, MSOM, LAc Research Associate

Reviewer

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant
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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Last update: May 30, 2024

Last full literature review: February 2022

CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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