Vitamin D and calcium intake in relation to risk of endometrial cancer: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Objective-In response to a recent ecologic study of UV exposure and endometrial cancer incidence, we present the epidemiologic evidence on the relation between intake of vitamin D and its metabolically related nutrient, calcium, and the occurrence of endometrial cancer.Methods-We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of vitamin D and calcium in relation to endometrial cancer, including peer-reviewed manuscripts published up to May 2007. Random and fixed effects summary estimates were computed.Results-Pooled analyses of the three case-control studies of dietary vitamin D and endometrial cancer uncovered heterogeneous results that were not significant in random or fixed effects analyses. Cut-points for the highest vitamin D intakes ranged from >244 to >476 IU/day. Qualitatively similar findings were observed for dietary calcium. Only two studies provided estimates for calcium supplements (random effects OR=0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99; fixed effects OR=0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.93, for top vs bottom category, p for heterogeneity=0.25).Conclusions-The limited epidemiological evidence suggests no relation between endometrial cancer in the ranges of dietary vitamin D examined, and suggests a possible inverse association for calcium from supplements. Prospective studies, ideally including plasma 25(OH) D to estimate vitamin D input from diet and sun exposure, are needed to further explore these hypotheses.

A population-based cohort study on sun habits and endometrial cancer

“…However, a recent meta-analysis of three case -control studies showed no relation between dietary vitamin D intake and endometrial cancer (McCullough et al, 2008). This can probably be explained by sunlight being the most important source of vitamin D, most diets being low in Vitamin D. In this meta-analysis, the highest intake category was 244 to 476 IU per day (McCullough et al, 2008), which is much less than the recommended 2000 IU per day ). An ecological study produced an estimated overall reduction in cancer mortality of 20% for Western European women living below the 59th latitude and of 9% for women in the United States if they were all given a daily dose of 1000 IU vitamin D .…”

“…It has been suggested that if a cell become malignant, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D can induce apoptosis and prevent angiogenesis, thereby reducing the potential for the malignant cell to survive (Holick, 2006). However, a recent meta-analysis of three case -control studies showed no relation between dietary vitamin D intake and endometrial cancer (McCullough et al, 2008). This can probably be explained by sunlight being the most important source of vitamin D, most diets being low in Vitamin D. In this meta-analysis, the highest intake category was 244 to 476 IU per day (McCullough et al, 2008), which is much less than the recommended 2000 IU per day ).…”

“…Among the cohort studies of lifestyle factors and endometrial cancer, no large study has investigated the effect of UV exposure on risk. Sunlight is known to be the most important source of vitamin D. A Spanish study found an inverse correlation between endometrial cancer mortality and sun exposure (indirectly assessed by using latitude as an index of solar UVB levels) (Grant, 2007), whereas a recent meta-analysis adding the results of three case -control studies showed no correlation with dietary intake of vitamin D of which sunlight is the most important source (McCullough et al, 2008).…”

Nutraceuticals and Nutraceutical Supplementation Criteria in Cancer: A Literature Survey

“…Vitamin A, D, antioxidants, calcium, folate nutraceuticals still remain a choice as cancer preventive supplements [176][177][178].…”

“…In other recent reports the investigators showed a positive response of different nutraceutical supplements and foods in cancer prevention of different organs in the body as shown in Table 3 with nutraceuticals and references. Bone cancer soy isoflavones [5] Breast cancer lycopene, phytoesterogen [122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132] Common cancer cruciferous vegetables [25,184] Colon cancer nuts, fibers [158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167][168][169][170][171][172] Gastric cancer herbs [173][174][175] Intestinal cancer sphingolipids [64,65,176] Liver cancer silbinin, citrous flavonoids [25] Lung cancer vitamins A and E [154][155][156][157] Ovary cancer Vitamin A, D, antioxidants [176][177][178] Pancreatic cancer Vitamins and isoflavones …”