Study: Vitamin D Gene May Protect Against Breast Cancer

A gene that helps women benefit from vitamin D may also protect against breast cancer, according to researchers at the Cancer Research Campaign in England.

Researchers have found that women who have a defect in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, which is responsible for making use of vitamin D, appear to be at twice the risk of developing breast cancer and may have tumors that are more dangerous.

Researchers speculate that vitamin D helps protect against breast cancer because it is linked to cell growth and cell death. Some forms of vitamin D may even help shrink existing tumors, according to the report in the British Journal of Cancer.

"Vitamin D normally binds to the VDR like a key fits into a lock," said Dr. Kay Colston, co-author of the study. "There is now evidence that vitamin D may protect against some cancers but this only works if vitamin D 'fits' the VDR."

Investigators looked at different versions of the VDR gene in 241 healthy women and 181 women with breast cancer and found that one version, called BsmI, put women at increased risk of developing the disease.

"Our studies indicate that a woman's risk from breast cancer may also depend on the form of the VDR gene that she has," said Colston. "It is now important to find out exactly how these small changes in the gene affect the way in which vitamin D acts on breast cancer cells."

Other Sources: Cancer Research Campaign