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It may sound crazy, but researchers at cancer centers throughout the southeastern U.S., including Moffitt, have discovered a link between Vitamin D and increased survival rates related to a rare form of malignant melanoma. Dr. Kathleen Egan's current research is showing that people who live in regions of the country where vitamin D-producing sunlight is strongest seem to have better survival rates with this particular form of cancer that arises within the uveal tract of the eye. According to Dr. Egan, there is a lot of interest in vitamin D as a prognostic factor for cancer in general, not just for melanoma. "Vitamin D has been shown in laboratory research to have multiple effects on normal and cancerous cells which in combination predict that higher levels are associated with improved cancer survival rates." The amount of exposure to sunlight one needs to produce plentiful amounts of vitamin D, however, is surprisingly minimal. For most people, an hour or even less of midday exposure to the arms and legs spread out over the course of a week will produce ample vitamin D. At the same time, it's important to bear in mind that until research studies produce definitive conclusions, sunscreen and common sense remain the recommended precautions when it comes to sun exposure.
Additional Links Skin Cancer - What You Should Look For Is Skin Cancer Underestimated? Spring Swing, Moffitt's Sun Safety Tour
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