Written by Jessica Patella, ND. The study found an association between regular vitamin D supplement takers and lower percentages of past or present melanoma compared to non-supplementers (32/117, 18.1% vs. 32/99, 32.3%, p=0.021).
The most lethal form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, is increasing and is predicted to increase even more over the next 2 decades 1. The skin is able to generate active vitamin D from sun exposure, yet with sun exposure as a risk factor for skin cancers, many people are getting insufficient sun exposure. This lack of sun exposure then can lead to low vitamin D levels 2,3. Recent research found supplementing vitamin D is associated with fewer cases of melanoma 2.
The research included 498 adults (21-79 years of age; 253 males, 245 females) that were at increased risk of any type of skin cancer. Risk of cancer included past or present skin cancers or precursor lesions, nevus count (number of moles), atypical nevi (moles), skin photoaging severity and family history of melanoma as evaluated by a dermatologist. Based on the information participants were then placed into a low, moderate or high-risk group. There were 295 participants with a history of past or present skin cancer (100 melanoma, 213 Basal Cell Carcinoma, 41 Squamous Cell Carcinoma) 2.
Participants were then asked how often they supplemented oral vitamin D, with the options of never, occasionally or regularly. All skin sites were then examined by dermatologists and a Photoaging area score was calculated (PAASI). Blood levels of vitamin D (serum 25(OH)-D3) were then measured in 207 participants (approximately half of the subjects within each group), this was performed as an additional confirmation of the self-reported use of vitamin D. The blood levels were evenly distributed suggesting that participants accurately self-reported their supplementation of vitamin D 2.
Analysis of the data showed there was no association between photoaging, actinic keratoses, nevi (moles), basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma and vitamin D supplementation. There was however an association between regular vitamin D supplement takers and lower percentages of past or present melanoma compared to non-supplementers (32/117, 18.1% vs. 32/99, 32.3%, p=0.021) 2.
In conclusion, there was a correlation between vitamin D supplementation and less melanoma. The study was not able to clarify how vitamin D decreases the risk of melanoma, which would need future research. Past research has also shown a range of results with vitamin D supplementation and melanoma, which warrants the need for further investigation 2.
Source: Kanasuo, Emilia, Hanna Siiskonen, Salla Haimakainen, Jenni Komulainen, and Ilkka T. Harvima. “Regular use of vitamin D supplement is associated with fewer melanoma cases compared to non-use: a cross-sectional study in 498 adult subjects at risk of skin cancers.” Melanoma Research (2022): CMR-0000000000000870.
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Posted February 9, 2023.
References:
- Osterweil N. Global Melanoma Incidence High and on the Rise. Medscape Medical News. 2022;
- Kanasuo E, Siiskonen H, Haimakainen S, Komulainen J, Harvima IT. Regular use of vitamin D supplement is associated with fewer melanoma cases compared to non-use: a cross-sectional study in 498 adult subjects at risk of skin cancers. Melanoma Res. Dec 28 2022;doi:10.1097/cmr.0000000000000870
- Alfredsson L, Armstrong BK, Butterfield DA, et al. Insufficient Sun Exposure Has Become a Real Public Health Problem. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Jul 13 2020;17(14)doi:10.3390/ijerph17145014
