Vitamin D from dietary intake and sunlight exposure and the risk of hormone-receptor-defined breast cancer

Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Oct 15;168(8):915-24. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwn198. Epub 2008 Aug 27.

Abstract

Evidence has emerged for a role of vitamin D in the development of breast cancer, and there is some suggestion that its antiproliferative effect is greater in hormone-receptor-positive cells. Few epidemiologic studies have considered the association between vitamin D and hormone-receptor-defined breast cancer, and the results are conflicting. Considering 759 cases and 1,135 controls from a case-control study (Ontario, Canada, 2003-2005), the authors examined the association between vitamin D intake at specific ages and combined estrogen-receptor- (ER) and progesterone-receptor- (PR) defined breast cancer. While increased intake of vitamin D (from the sun and diet) was most consistently associated with a significantly reduced risk of ER+/PR+ tumors (e.g., odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval: 0.59, 0.97 for use of cod liver oil during adolescence), comparable nonsignificant associations were found for receptor-negative (ER-/PR-) (odds ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval: 0.53, 1.04) and mixed (ER+/PR-) (odds ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 1.22) tumors. This study suggests that vitamin D is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer regardless of ER/PR status of the tumor. Future studies with a larger number of receptor-negative and mixed tumors are required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Dietary Supplements / adverse effects*
  • Eating
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Risk Factors
  • Sunlight / adverse effects*
  • Vitamin D / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Vitamin D