Vitamin D associated with better outcomes in melanoma

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that Vitamin D levels are linked to the rate and amount of melanoma development. Specifically, people with low levels of Vitamin D get more frequent melanoma lesions and the lesions are thicker and more virulent.

“Although avoiding sunburn is very important in order to prevent melanoma, it is also important to avoid becoming deficient in vitamin D,” said Dr. Julia A. Newton-Bishop, a dermatology professor at the University of Leeds in England and a study co-author. “This is especially important for melanoma patients in whom low vitamin D levels appear to be harmful.”

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, infections and poor overall health. And adults with low levels may suffer from lower bone mineral density. In addition several recent studies have shown that Vitamin D is effective at fighting various forms of cancer.