How Low Vitamin D Increases Risk of Prostate Cancer in African-American Men

I recently attended a doctor’s visit with a prostate cancer client serving as his Patient Advocate. I was there to help ask questions my client didn’t feel comfortable asking or might not have thought to ask. We discussed his recent lab results and lifestyle interventions with his healthcare provider and I asked ‘what about his Vitamin D level?” After a quick glance, the HCP said they were on the low end (less than 30 ng/mL), but not too low.

I decided to share recent research suggesting low levels of Vitamin D could impact prostate cancer risk. The HCP responded that his patient currently has prostate cancer and there’s no research on if Vitamin D could slow the progression of prostate cancer (read my response in the next post). He agreed more Vitamin D would be good, so my client is now on vitamin D.

How does vitamin D affect prostate cancer?

Men, it is vitally important that your Vitamin D levels are checked regularly. In addition to family history and weight, vitamin D levels could affect your risk of getting this disease. Here’s what the latest research says:

African American men have higher risk of prostate cancer if Vitamin D levels are less than 20 ng/mL
Advanced prostate cancer was diagnosed in African American men if Vitamin D levels are less than 12 ng/mL (advanced prostate cancer is a Gleason score greater than 4+4)
Extremely low levels of vitamin D, less than 12 ng/mL, is linked to advanced prostate cancer in African American men (this is a clinical stage greater than cT2b)
European American men had no association with low Vitamin D and higher risk of prostate cancer

It should be noted that this study included over 660 men in the Chicago area. These men had a biopsy because they had high levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) or an abnormal digital rectal exam (DRE). Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in 41% of men in this study, and 15.7% of all men had levels drastically low (less than 12 ng/mL).

Takeaway

If you’re African American: #1) get your Vitamin D levels checked; #2) Consult with your healthcare provider on your risk of developing prostate cancer based on your lab results (PSA, vitamin D), lifestyle and family history.

Reference: Murphy AB, et al. Vitamin D proficiency predicts prostate biopsy outcomes. Clin Cancer Res. 2014;20:2289.

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