並列摘要
Vitamin D is not really a vitamin but the precursor to the potent steroid hormone calcitriol, which has widespread actions throughout the body. Calcitriol regulates multiple cellular functions that could have a role in determining cancer risk and prognosis, including anti-inflammatory effects and also inhibits proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastatic potential. Several studies have now shown that low serum 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with colorectal, breast and ovarian cancer, and melanoma with an increased risk of development of the disease and a relatively poor prognosis. Adding vitamin D supplements might be an economical and safe management to reduce cancer incidence and improve cancer prognosis and outcome.