› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Vitamin D and melanoma
- This topic has 18 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 12 months ago by
WithinMySkin.
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- April 30, 2016 at 7:13 pm
As melanoma warriors we face an interesting dilemma with respect to vitamin D levels. We know that melanoma incidence is correlated with low levels of vitamin D. We also know that sun exposure increases vitamin D levels. The dilemma is that sun exposure is known to increase the likelihood of melanoma incidence.
Since my diagnosis, my approach has been to still get some sun exposure, but do it responsibly (i.e. no midday sun, no extended periods, reasonably well protected with sunscreen, etc.). I have actually been doing this for the past 20 years, and even though I recently got diagnosed with my melanoma, I feel quite confident that IF it was a result of excess sun exposure that it was in my younger years when I did not practice more responsible sun habits.
As I continue to ponder my approach, here are some questions that hopefully some knowledgeable people have some insight on:
Are supplements as good as natural sun exposure? I suspect that they are not, although they likely help and I am taking them now.
Does it make sense for everybody with melanoma to get their vitamin D levels tested just to see if it is abnormally low and would warrant more aggressive action?
Does using sunscreen eliminate the natural absorption of vitamin D from the sun? I know that it blocks the harmful rays, but are those the same rays that give us our vitamin D?
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- April 30, 2016 at 8:49 pm
This might help https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng14
suggests that all diagnosed with Melanoma should get vit D levels checked and that if low supplement.
Guidance probably informed by the genomel team at Leeds-
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/136/vitamin_d_new_cancer_hope
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- May 1, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Sunscreen does block the benefits. Also you need the majority of your skin exposed for benefits. Not just arms and part of legs. Supplements might not be as good but it will boost your levels tremendously with the right dosage and brand. -
- May 1, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Sunscreen does block the benefits. Also you need the majority of your skin exposed for benefits. Not just arms and part of legs. Supplements might not be as good but it will boost your levels tremendously with the right dosage and brand. -
- May 1, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Sunscreen does block the benefits. Also you need the majority of your skin exposed for benefits. Not just arms and part of legs. Supplements might not be as good but it will boost your levels tremendously with the right dosage and brand.
-
- April 30, 2016 at 8:49 pm
This might help https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng14
suggests that all diagnosed with Melanoma should get vit D levels checked and that if low supplement.
Guidance probably informed by the genomel team at Leeds-
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/136/vitamin_d_new_cancer_hope
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- April 30, 2016 at 8:49 pm
This might help https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng14
suggests that all diagnosed with Melanoma should get vit D levels checked and that if low supplement.
Guidance probably informed by the genomel team at Leeds-
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/136/vitamin_d_new_cancer_hope
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- May 1, 2016 at 1:44 am
Vitamin D is important for good health in all of us..perhaps especially so in melanoma patients. If you search the forum there was a recent discussion of the subject. Vitamin D can be attained in many forms…food, supplements….not just sunlight. Here is a post to data on the subject with links within: http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-latest-antioxidant-contraversy.html
I wish you well. Celeste
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- May 1, 2016 at 1:44 am
Vitamin D is important for good health in all of us..perhaps especially so in melanoma patients. If you search the forum there was a recent discussion of the subject. Vitamin D can be attained in many forms…food, supplements….not just sunlight. Here is a post to data on the subject with links within: http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-latest-antioxidant-contraversy.html
I wish you well. Celeste
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- May 1, 2016 at 1:44 am
Vitamin D is important for good health in all of us..perhaps especially so in melanoma patients. If you search the forum there was a recent discussion of the subject. Vitamin D can be attained in many forms…food, supplements….not just sunlight. Here is a post to data on the subject with links within: http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-latest-antioxidant-contraversy.html
I wish you well. Celeste
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- May 1, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Everyone should have their levels monitored since adequate vitamin D levels are crucial for all aspects of health. Mine was 28 last year. With supplementation of 6000IU for a year it went to 43. The best brand I have found is Biotics. This was recommended by my MD/hollistic doctor. Regular maintenence level should be 50-70 but for people fighting cancer it should be above 70. Don’t forget to supplement with vitamin K2 as well for best absorption of vitamin D. -
- May 1, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Everyone should have their levels monitored since adequate vitamin D levels are crucial for all aspects of health. Mine was 28 last year. With supplementation of 6000IU for a year it went to 43. The best brand I have found is Biotics. This was recommended by my MD/hollistic doctor. Regular maintenence level should be 50-70 but for people fighting cancer it should be above 70. Don’t forget to supplement with vitamin K2 as well for best absorption of vitamin D. -
- May 1, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Everyone should have their levels monitored since adequate vitamin D levels are crucial for all aspects of health. Mine was 28 last year. With supplementation of 6000IU for a year it went to 43. The best brand I have found is Biotics. This was recommended by my MD/hollistic doctor. Regular maintenence level should be 50-70 but for people fighting cancer it should be above 70. Don’t forget to supplement with vitamin K2 as well for best absorption of vitamin D. -
- May 22, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Thanks for all that posted, lots of good information.
There certainly is a very strong indication that low vitamin D levels is correlated with melanoma incidence. Unfortunately, since all of us have already crossed that bridge, that alone doesn’t help much. The more interesting part, and less certain, is whether increasing vitamin D levels after diagnosis improves outcomes. Celeste’s article reiterates what I have read in many places, that high intakes of antioxidants actually helps cancer cells metastasize. My first reaction after diagnosis was to do what many do, load up on antioxidants, but when I read study after study counter indicating that approach, I chose not to do so. My view is that trying to prevent any new cancer is not worth the risk of helping the already known cancer in my body. It appears the same may apply to vitamin D.
Interestingly, it sounds like testing Vitamin D levels is, or is close to, the standard of care in the UK, but as far as I know, it is not here in the U.S. I’m not sure why the difference, but I am curious to know my level so I will get it tested. If it is grossly out of range on the low side, it probably makes sense to try to get it into range, otherwise leaving it alone will be my strategy.
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- May 22, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Thanks for all that posted, lots of good information.
There certainly is a very strong indication that low vitamin D levels is correlated with melanoma incidence. Unfortunately, since all of us have already crossed that bridge, that alone doesn’t help much. The more interesting part, and less certain, is whether increasing vitamin D levels after diagnosis improves outcomes. Celeste’s article reiterates what I have read in many places, that high intakes of antioxidants actually helps cancer cells metastasize. My first reaction after diagnosis was to do what many do, load up on antioxidants, but when I read study after study counter indicating that approach, I chose not to do so. My view is that trying to prevent any new cancer is not worth the risk of helping the already known cancer in my body. It appears the same may apply to vitamin D.
Interestingly, it sounds like testing Vitamin D levels is, or is close to, the standard of care in the UK, but as far as I know, it is not here in the U.S. I’m not sure why the difference, but I am curious to know my level so I will get it tested. If it is grossly out of range on the low side, it probably makes sense to try to get it into range, otherwise leaving it alone will be my strategy.
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- May 22, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Thanks for all that posted, lots of good information.
There certainly is a very strong indication that low vitamin D levels is correlated with melanoma incidence. Unfortunately, since all of us have already crossed that bridge, that alone doesn’t help much. The more interesting part, and less certain, is whether increasing vitamin D levels after diagnosis improves outcomes. Celeste’s article reiterates what I have read in many places, that high intakes of antioxidants actually helps cancer cells metastasize. My first reaction after diagnosis was to do what many do, load up on antioxidants, but when I read study after study counter indicating that approach, I chose not to do so. My view is that trying to prevent any new cancer is not worth the risk of helping the already known cancer in my body. It appears the same may apply to vitamin D.
Interestingly, it sounds like testing Vitamin D levels is, or is close to, the standard of care in the UK, but as far as I know, it is not here in the U.S. I’m not sure why the difference, but I am curious to know my level so I will get it tested. If it is grossly out of range on the low side, it probably makes sense to try to get it into range, otherwise leaving it alone will be my strategy.
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