Vitamin D and calcium supplements may be used together to prevent cancer, including multiple myeloma, according to an article in the September issue of the journal Anticancer Research.

Many scientists cite vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for several types of cancer. In fact, research has indicated that people who maintain high levels of vitamin D may reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to 70 percent. Other studies have established a significant inverse relationship between UV-B exposure and death in 15 forms of cancer. Vitamin D is naturally produced in the skin when exposed to UV-B radiation, and people who have minimal exposure to sunlight may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Calcium deficiency has similarly been linked to mortality for colon, rectal, breast, gastric, endometrial, renal, and ovarian cancers.

The article in Anticancer Research details new evidence that vitamin D and calcium jointly regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. The authors of the new study suggest taking both vitamin D and calcium supplements for optimal cancer prevention.

For more information, please read the article in the journal Anticancer Research (abstract).  Additionally, a related Beacon article describes how vitamin D deficiency may cause skeletal problems in myeloma patients.