184665 Use of vitamin D for prevention of breast and colon cancer worldwide: Annual number of cases preventable worldwide with vitamin D supplementation

Monday, October 27, 2008: 4:30 PM

Cedric F. Garland, DrPH, FACE , Dept of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Sharif B. Mohr, MPH , Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Edward D. Gorham, PhD , Dept of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
William B. Grant, PhD , SUNARC, San Francisco, CA
Frank C. Garland, PhD , Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA
     
IINTRODUCTION: Many epidemiological studies support use of vitamin D for prevention of cancers of the breast and colon. This study determined the number of cases that could be prevented worldwide using vitamin D3.

METHODS: We used the dose-response relationship between serum 25(OH)D level and risk breast or colon cancer to project the number of cases that could be prevented by 2000 or 2800 IU/day of vitamin D3. Serum 25(OH)D levels were obtained for each country from published studies or modeled based on latitude and other factors. A record was generated for each country that included ultraviolet B irradiance, breast and colon cancer incidence rates and the relative risk for each cancer in each country that would be associated with intake of either 2000 or 2800 IU/day.

RESULTS: Supplementation with 2000 IU/day was projected to prevent 337,000 cases of colon cancer worldwide annually, including approximately 90,000 in North America, 100,000 in Europe, and 69,000 in China, for a median 27% reduction in incidence. Supplementation of the diet with 2800 IU/day of vitamin D3 was calculated to prevent 243,000 cases of breast cancer, including approximately 48,000 in North America, 143,000 in Europe, and 82,000 in China.

CONCLUSIONS. If the assumptions of the model are valid, approximately 337,000 cases of colon cancer and 50,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented annually with supplementation of 2000 IU/day, and substantially more cases with 2800 IU/day. However oral intakes above 2000 IU/day are not yet widely accepted, despite a favorable benefit:risk ratio.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the nature of the dose-response relationship between oral intake of vitamin D, serum 25(OH)D and incidence of breast and colon cancer. 2. Describe the benefits and risks of adding 2000 and 4000 IU/day of vitamin D3 to the diet in different countries 3. Explain the steps and precautions needed to substantially reduce incidence of breast and colon cancer worldwide using vitamin D3 supplementation.

Keywords: Cancer, Vitamins

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My colleagues and I have published numerous articles in medical journals and textbooks on this topic.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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