Vitamin D linked to reduced cancer risk

The risk of colon cancer could be significantly reduced in European countries through the use of vitamin D, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

A study funded by the World Cancer Research Fund and carried out by the IARC and Imperial College London revealed that participants with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood had 40 per cent less chance of getting colorectal cancer than those with low levels of the compound.

Carina Powney, advisory service nurse at Bowel Cancer UK, said that while the research could be the first step to more knowledge regarding vitamin D, the supplement is also associated with diet and sunlight exposure.

She continued: "As we do not know the risks of taking supplements on other types of cancers - we do know that taking high doses of vitamin D over a long period could weaken bones - the findings should be treated with caution at this stage."

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