Vitamin D levels, dietary intake, and photoprotective behaviors among patients with skin cancer.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)

Photoprotection against ultraviolet light is an important part of our armamentarium against actinically derived skin cancers. However, there has been concern that adherence to photoprotection may lead to low vitamin D status, leading to negative effects on patients' health. In this work we discuss previous findings in this area, which do not give a clear picture as to the relationship between vitamin D levels and photoprotection measures, as well as research performed by the authors, who did not detect a relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and adherence to photoprotection measures in subjects with skin cancer, as assessed by the use of sunscreen, clothing, hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas/shade through the Sun Protection Habits Index. Subjects who took vitamin D oral supplementation had greater serum 25(OH)D levels than those who did not, whereas dietary intake through foods did not predict 25(OH)D levels in the authors' study. However, there was a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in the authors' study population, highlighting the importance of assessing vitamin D status and recommending oral vitamin D supplementation when indicated.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • DeLong, LK; Wetherington, S; Hill, N; Kumari, M; Gammon, B; Dunbar, S; Tangpricha, V; Chen, SC

Published Date

  • September 2010

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 29 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 185 - 189

PubMed ID

  • 21051012

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1558-0768

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.sder.2010.06.001

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States