While high blood levels of vitamin D might be linked to increased melanoma risk in some studies, the connection is complex and likely confounded by sun exposure (which causes skin cancer but doesn't infinitely boost vitamin D). Most evidence suggests vitamin D may actually be protective against melanoma's aggression, with some studies finding fewer melanoma cases in regular vitamin D users, but it's best to avoid deficiency and excess (aiming for healthy ranges like 60-85 nmol/L) rather than high doses.
Key findings. We found that people who have high levels of vitamin D in their blood, have an increased risk of two skin cancer types, namely basal cell carcinoma (the most common type of skin cancer) and melanoma (the most dangerous type of skin cancer).
About 90% to 95% of melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily from the sun, but also from tanning beds, leading to DNA damage in skin cells and uncontrolled growth. This damage often results from short, intense periods of sun exposure and sunburn, especially during childhood, making sun protection crucial for prevention.
People who have had a melanoma should avoid sunburn because it increases the risk of further melanomas. Research on lifestyle and melanoma indicated that people with low vitamin D levels had thicker melanomas at diagnosis and were more likely to suffer a recurrence of their cancer [Newton-Bishop et al., 2009].
Taking too much vitamin D leads to calcium buildup (hypercalcemia), causing physical signs like nausea/vomiting, fatigue/weakness, frequent urination & excessive thirst, constipation, and confusion/disorientation, alongside potential bone pain or kidney stones, often from supplements, not sun exposure.
The main concern of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in the blood. This is called hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can cause upset stomach and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. It also can lead to bone pain and kidney troubles such as kidney stones.
But how do you flush vitamin D out of your system – and can you even do that? Yes, by ensuring you consume plenty of water. This will encourage urination, allowing your body to shed the excess vitamin D and calcium more quickly. Prescription diuretics like furosemide can also be helpful.
Patients with melanoma had significantly lower mean 25(OH)D levels compared to healthy controls, and there was a non-significant trend toward an increased melanoma risk in patients with vitamin D deficiency (≤20 vs. > 20 ng/ml). Subgroup analyses of Southern European studies showed significant results.
If you've had melanoma skin cancer, you should avoid spending too long in the sun. Your doctor may suggest you use a high sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen on any exposed skin.
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy
TILs are immune system cells called T cells that have entered (infiltrated) a tumor to attack the cancer cells. Treatments that use these cells can help shrink some melanomas. This type of treatment is also known as tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is the most common cause of melanoma. It comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds. Melanoma is more common in older people, but younger people can also get it.
The exact cause of all melanomas isn't clear. Most melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light, also called UV light, comes from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds. Limiting exposure to UV light can help reduce the risk of melanoma.
The lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 1 in 40 for Caucasians, 1 in 200 for Hispanics and 1 in 1,000 for African Americans. People of color are more likely to get melanoma in areas that don't see the sun – like the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, under the nails.
It has been found that low serum vitamin D3 levels are associated with increased cancers of the breast (4), colon (5) and prostate (6) and animals lacking VDR or with severe vitamin D deficiency are prone to increased tumorigenesis (7,8).
Very high levels of vitamin D in your blood (greater than 375 nmol/L or 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.
Here's why excessive Vitamin D supplementation can cause acne: the first key reason is that Vitamin D stimulates testosterone, which is the primary hormone that aggravates hormonal acne. The second key reason is that supplements simply contain too much of it.
Cohen and the research team have been able to show that melanoma patients with diets rich in fiber had an almost fivefold greater chance of responding to immunotherapy compared to patients with diets low in fiber.
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a major risk factor for most melanomas. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays. Tanning beds and sun lamps are also sources of UV rays.
Seeking to understand this, we discuss data, which suggest (but by no means prove) that vitamin D might also have a role in susceptibility to melanoma. In conclusion, much remains unknown about vitamin D in general and certainly about vitamin D and melanoma.
Choose food and drinks low in fibre, fat, lactose, caffeine, spices and sugar alcohols. Try to drink at least 8 cups (2 litres) of fluid each day to prevent dehydration.
Immune dysregulation due to stress may increase susceptibility to melanoma.
Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine
These can also interact with vitamin D. One example of a bile acid sequestrant is cholestyramine (Prevalite). These medications bind to fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D in the intestines. This may reduce the amount of vitamin D your body can absorb.
Early symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, followed by weakness, nervousness, and high blood pressure. Because the calcium level is high, calcium may be deposited throughout the body, particularly in the kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, and heart.
Between late March or early April to the end of September, most people can make all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on their skin and from a balanced diet. You may choose not to take a vitamin D supplement during these months.