Alternative Health Blog

In a prospective cohort study involving 1,295 incident postmenopausal breast cancer patients between the ages of 50 and 74 years, who had been diagnosed between 2002 and 2005 and who were followed up with for a median 5.8 years, lower 25(OH)D concentration was linearly associated with higher risk of death (HR=1.08 per 10 nmol/L decrement), and significantly higher risk of distant recurrence (HR=1.14 per 10 nmol/L decrement). The HR for overall survival was 1.55 and distant disease-free survival was 2.09, comparing the highest tertile of 25(OH)D (55 nmol/L) to the lowest (35 nmol/L). The authors state, "In conclusion, lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations may be associated with poorer overall survival and distant disease-free survival in postmenopausal breast cancer patients."