Does Vitamin D Affect Breast Cancer Risks?

You’ve probably heard that vitamin D levels affect bone health, and maybe the doctor has suggested that your mom take a supplement. Now it seems there may be another good reason for your mom to take vitamin D. A new study shows that it could prevent breast cancer from developing. If you’re concerned about your aging mother’s risk of developing breast cancer, understanding the disease and how it might be prevented may help.

Home Health Care in Springfield VA: Vitamin D and Breast Cancer

About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when cells in a woman’s breast begin to grow in an uncontrollable manner. The abnormal cells eventually become a tumor. When breast cancer is not treated early, it can lead to the cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer is most prevalent in women, but it can affect men as well. Usually, it starts in the ducts that connect to the nipple. It also develops in the milk-producing glands. However, it can occur in any tissue of the breast.

Sometimes the cancerous cells will form a lump. However, sometimes they do not and can only be detected with a mammogram. Mammograms are also the best way to detect breast cancer early.

Vitamin D and Breast Cancer

The American Cancer Society suggests that it’s possible to reduce breast cancer risks by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Getting enough exercise.
• Limiting alcohol consumption.

But, in a recent study, scientists discovered that increasing vitamin D levels might also help prevent breast cancer.
The study involved 5,000 women who were 55 or older. They found that women who had higher vitamin D levels were at an 80 percent reduced risk for breast cancer in comparison to those with lower levels of the vitamin.  And, the higher the level of vitamin D, the lower the risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

A lump in the breast isn’t the only symptom that can occur with breast cancer. Other possible symptoms are:

• • Pain in the armpit or breast.
  • Skin on the breast that looks pitted, like an orange peel.
  • A rash on or near the nipple.
  • Nipple discharge.
  • An inverted nipple.
  • Changes in the way the breast looks, such as size or shape.
  • Peeling, flaking, or scaly breast skin.

Home care can help older adults to prevent breast cancer by cooking healthy meals that can promote a healthy weight and encouraging exercise. A home care provider can also drive the senior to the doctor for breast cancer screenings. If the person is diagnosed with breast cancer, home care can support them throughout their treatment, allowing them to rest while they recover.

Are you or a loved-one considering Home Health Care in Springfield, VA?  Please call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. Contact: 703-273-8818

Sources

webmd.com
cancer.org/what-is-breast-cancer
medicalnewstoday.com
cancer.org/risk-and-prevention

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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