Tagged with “vitamin D”

Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: August 21

In research this week Japanese surgeons report very good outcomes when lung tumors from colorectal cancer tumors can be completely removed, colonoscopies done in the morning find more polyps, and high levels of vitamin D in the blood predict better survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

US life expectancy reached a record high in 2007 according to the CDC. A veteran treated at the Miami VA Health Center is suing the US government because of HIV infection allegedly contracted during a colonoscopy. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on August 21st, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: colonoscopy, life expectancy, lung metastases, vitamin D

Should Everyone Take Calcium and Vitamin D?

Only about five years ago, every patient of mine who finished chemotherapy was given a vitamin cocktail to further reduce colon cancer risk. It was calcium, selenium, vitamin E and folic acid.

Over the last three years, folic acid has been shown to increase growth of polyps, and in patients with metastatic disease it may shorten life. The protective value of vitamin E has been questioned, and there was evidence that it might increase prostate cancer risk. Selenium did not show benefit. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on May 14th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 10 Comments »
Tags: calcium, Preventing Colorectal Cancer, vitamin D

Vitamin D Reduces Risk for Colon Polyps

Both the level of vitamin D in the blood and intake of vitamin D-rich foods decrease the risk of colorectal polyps in a number of studies.

Analyzing published studies of blood levels of vitamin D, researchers found a 30 percent decrease in the risk of adenomas among people with the most circulating vitamin D compared to those with the least. The highest vitamin D intake decreased adenomatous polyp risk by 11 percent. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on November 7th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 2 Comments »
Tags: adenomas, colorectal cancer prevention, vitamin D