All this (mis)information about prostate cancer can be a real pain in the butt. But studies are coming down the line about vitamin D and its ability to slow down cancer in the prostate.

Don’t jump into these claims too quickly – the medical community sure hasn’t. Probably because paying for the prostate cancer treatments puts money directly into the big-pharma’s back pocket, but also because it would be silly to do everything you read.

Some other untruths we’ve been spoon-fed

Trust Big-Pharma

Soy milk is the healthiest thing you can drink.

Refined sugar is good for you.

See? You certainly shouldn’t believe everything you read. But keep reading.

The study mentioned above took 37 men having their prostate removed and randomly assigned either 4000 International Units (IU) or a placebo. The subjects of the study were given their supplements daily for 60 days prior to their operation. 

When the prostate gland was examined after the surgery, those who took the vitamin D supplements had significant improvements to the prostate tumor, whereas the tumors of those taking the placebo stayed the same or got worse.

So maybe…

Yes, maybe it works, but it is still not yet fully tested by our medical community. Bruce Hollis, the study’s lead researcher and professor of pediatrics, biochemistry, and molecular biology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, says, “in greater than 60 percent of those taking it, vitamin D actually made the cancer better.” But of course the study’s lead researcher would say that.

The claims are backed by fact: Vitamin D is known to decrease tissue inflammation. Inflammation is a known driver of cancer. So it would seem that decreasing inflammation decreases your chances of cancer.

While Hollis reported that the vitamin D shrank the tumors in some cases and made the cancer disappear in others, his colleagues and cohorts may not be so convinced. 

Dr. Anthony D’Amico, chief of radiation oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said the study was too small and no definitive conclusion about vitamin D shrinking tumors or sending cancer into remission could be reached. “It’s premature to make any conclusions,” D’Amico says, “the findings also need to be replicated in a much larger number of patients.”

So what is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D, commonly called the “sunshine vitamin”, is made in the body when exposed to sunlight, but can also be found in fatty fish, fortified milks, and supplements. The best way to get vitamin D is to be outside as often as possible, which isn’t hard.

Getting outside should be fun and easy, but it is getting more and more difficult. We live a more sedentary lifestyle these days, behind closed doors and computer screens. Of course this is the course of history, but it is still super important to get some fresh air and sunlight. After all, sunlight is a much better way (and a much more cost effective way) of getting sunlight.

The Bottom Line.

Listen to Dr. D’Amico instead of Bruce Hollis. Don’t stop getting as much sunlight, exercise, and vitamin D as possible, however, don’t be so sure in the small sample size of the study. Do yourself a favour by staying informed of new developments in this study, but don’t put your full trust into everything you hear from the doctors running the tests.

It is important to have an open mind, especially when dealing with something as devastating as cancer. If it has touched you, your family, or your friends, you know that treating cancer is an intensely emotional and difficult time. Staying informed about new preventative measures is very smart, but jumping in before any conclusions can be drawn can be dangerous.

This small study unequivocally showed that vitamin D reduces the tumors associated with prostate cancer, but the study was far too small. Hearing these revelations always brings hope, but what we need is relief. These on-going tests are great and hearing their results is always mind-opening and fills us with hope, but why not start at the problem? It’s time to beat cancer, instead of just keeping it at bay or shrinking it. It’s time to nip the problem in the bud.

There are a plethora of ways and sites on which to educate yourself about the various forms of cancer. New studies, preventative measures, and donation campaigns are popping up every week. You can learn more about prostate cancer here and help the research by donating here. 

Now, go out and get some sun. You’ll feel better.