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[2 min read] Correlation between vitamin D and melanoma risk and prognosis
It is well known that vitamin D can be effective in the prevention of skin cancer, but the synthesis of vitamin D requires ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is a known risk factor for melanoma. A new study investigated the correlations between serum vitamin D levels and risk and prognosis of melanoma.
Twenty-five studies with a total of 11,166 patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in serum vitamin D levels between patients with melanoma and controls [standardized mean difference (SMD), −0.185; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.533 to 0.162].
However, the study found that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in patients with melanoma than that in controls (odds ratio, 2.115; 95% CI, 1.151–3.885).
In terms of prognosis, serum vitamin D levels were significantly higher in melanoma patients with lower Breslow thickness (≦1 vs. >1 mm: SMD, 0.243; 95% CI, 0.160–0.327).
Moreover, melanoma patients with lower vitamin D levels had a significantly higher mortality rate (hazard ratio, 1.558; 95% CI, 1.258–1.931).
The study concluded that vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher Breslow thickness and mortality in melanoma patients.
Learn more about skin cancer medicine in primary care at the next Skin Cancer Certificate Courses.
Source: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)30623-X/fulltext
1300 856 695
+44 203 514 0688
1800 867 1390
I will recommend it more. I do prescribe it to everybody. I know the maximum dose can be as 4000 UI in patients with obesity what is the maximum dose for children less than 1 year old and 1 to 5 is there a difference. Also for who are not breastfeeding is there a recommandation or studies.
I wonder if those who are already identified as high risk of skin cancer then go on to photoprotection/sun avoidance (often at the direction of their doctor). Then when they are diagnosed with melanoma from their lifetime of risk factors, they are also Vitamin D deficient from more recent sun protective behaviours.