This October marks the 25th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to raising awareness and educating the public about the disease itself as well as its treatments and advances, scientists have released a study that has found many breast cancer patients suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.
Researchers with the University of Rochester Medical Center followed 166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and found that nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood. The insufficient levels could contribute to decreased bone mass and increased risk of bone fractures.
“Vitamin D is essential to maintaining bone health, and women with breast cancer have accelerated bone loss due to the nature of hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Its important for women and their doctors to work together to boost their vitamin D intake,” said Dr. Luke Peppone from Rochesters James P. Wilmot Cancer Center.
Previous studies have shown that nearly half of all men and women are deficient in the nutrient.
In addition to , vitamin D can be obtained from milk, fortified cereals and exposure to sunlight.