Vitamin D Trends Over Time Linked to Breast Cancer Survival

A new study of 513 breast cancer patients found that tracking vitamin D levels over time, rather than a single test, was independently linked to event-free survival outcomes. Researchers measured vitamin D at three points during treatment and identified six distinct patterns. Patients with persistent or worsening deficiency had significantly worse survival, even after adjusting for age, tumor stage, and subtype. Nearly 90% of patients were deficient at baseline. The findings suggest vitamin D monitoring throughout treatment and remission could be a valuable, modifiable factor for patients to discuss with their care teams.