The study was conducted by the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital and involved nearly 500 individuals who were at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
The study recruited 498 adult patients with an increased risk of skin cancer. The patients were divided into three groups based on their use of oral vitamin D supplements: non-users, occasional users, and regular users.
The study found that regular users of vitamin D had significantly fewer cases of melanoma compared to non-users, and their risk of skin cancer was considerably lower. The findings also suggested that even occasional users of vitamin D may have a lower risk of melanoma.
However, there was no significant association between vitamin D use and other skin changes or types of skin cancer. The study design did not establish a causal relationship between vitamin D and skin cancer.
Overall, the study highlights the potential protective role of regular vitamin D supplementation against melanoma, but further research is necessary to fully understand the relationship between vitamin D and skin cancer.
Considering Australia has a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency, Dr. Peter Kim was also diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency; it might be worthwhile to have a vitamin D level test if you are a high-risk group.
Reference:
milia Kanasuo, Hanna Siiskonen, Salla Haimakainen, Jenni Komulainen, 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; Publish Ahead of Print DOI: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000870
