It appears that people who regularly take a vitamin D supplement have a significantly lower risk of developing malignant melanoma or another form of skin cancer. A retrospective cohort study from Finland attempted to find out whether there could be a connection here.

Rising incidence of skin cancer in Western countries

In our latitudes, cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma are on the increase, especially in patients with a weakened immune system. The main cause of these diseases is UV exposure. Improved sun protection is suggested to protect against skin cancer, but on the other hand this is likely to lead to a lower supply of the important vitamin D.

Finnish study on the link between vitamin D and a lower incidence of skin cancer

In a Finnish study, 489 patients were divided into 3 groups. The participants in the three groups either did not take a vitamin D supplement at all, only occasionally or even regularly. The comparison showed that those patients who took vitamin D regularly had a 55% lower risk of developing cutaneous malignant melanoma. Occasional intake led to a 46% reduction in risk. For each type of skin cancer, the values were 52% and 46% respectively.

These results indicate that even an occasional intake of vitamin D leads to a reduction in the risk of skin cancer.

This study can be read here:

Study: Regular use of vitamin D supplements is associated with fewer melanoma cases compared to non-use

Another study presented at the 31st Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with significantly poorer overall survival in skin cancer patients. Details of this study can be found in this report:

Report on the study: Link between survival rate and vitamin D deficiency in melanoma

The following treatments are offered by dermatologist Dr. Tamara Kopp at JUVENIS:

JUVENIS in Vienna offers services relating to health & prevention, radiance & posture and outer beauty that will make you shine on the outside and increase your well-being.