'Sunshine vitamin' needed for cancer survival

[dadstimeon]

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1 ... 837C483614

Getting enough vitamin D may be a matter of life or death. A provocative new study suggests it plays an important role in surviving lung cancer.

People can get the nutrient from their food, vitamin pills or being out in the sunshine.

Researchers found that lung cancer patients with high intake, who had surgery during the summer, were more than twice as likely to be alive five years later than those with low levels who had operations in winter.

It is one of several recent studies to show the benefits of the "sunshine vitamin" against cancer.

"There is a lot of data emerging from various areas suggesting it is important," said Dr Edward Giovannucci, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.

He helped conduct what is believed to be the first human study to look at vitamin D and lung cancer survival.

"This is a very interesting study. It's a new trend - looking at dietary factors as they relate to survival," not just the risk of getting a certain cancer, said Dr Michael Thun, chief epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society, who had no role in the research.

Vitamin D is made by the skin from sunlight. Getting enough from diet alone is tough - fish and fortified milk are the main sources. Supplements are controversial because too much D can cause medical problems, but many scientists think the recommended daily level of 400 international units is too low.

The nutrient has many features that could explain its possible benefit against cancer, such as stifling cell growth.

Led by Harvard University's Dr David Christiani, they studied 456 consecutive patients with early-stage lung cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Patients were interviewed about diet, supplements and timing of their cancer surgery.

Those who had high vitamin D levels and summer operations fared the best: five-year survival was 72 percent versus 29 percent for those who had the lowest levels of the nutrient and winter surgery.

This does not mean that people should delay or try to time operations, but taking vitamin D supplements around the time of surgery might be a good idea, said Wei Zhou, a Harvard researcher.

Lung cancer is the world's top cancer killer. About 172 500 new cases and 163 510 deaths are expected this year in the United States, and more than 1,3-million cases and nearly 1,2-million deaths worldwide. - Sapa-AP

[BoBennett]

Rich

You sure get some interesting stuff. When I was first diagnosed I, like many went on a quest for the best course of action. Sunlight was one of those things I learned of and believe is helpful, as the article talks of. I did not want to drink milk any longer nor did I want to take supplements. I personally believe natural is far above, especially if the needed support is available in other than artificial means. I opted for a well rounded fruits and vegetable diet and spending time in the sun for the needed vitamin D. My Onc wanted to stop my chemo and have me go on Irressa/Trceva in Jan/Feb. I said I wanted to go into the drug holiday in spring, due completely to the sun factor. As corny as it sounds I always felt powered by the sun. Anyway it works for me, besides how can being in the sun hurt you.

Bo

[dadstimeon]

Bo, I agree sun is good for one, in moderation like anything else. Of course one being on Tarceva one has to be careful. My FIL was in the navy for 38 years, he wa a big ocean, beach, sun guy and he lived to be 95. Take care, Rich