TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Tahlequah residents and cancer survivor Joyce Rose may be spending more time “catching some rays” this summer than in the past.

Rose just learned that breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D – the “sunshine vitamin” – run a higher risk of having the disease spread than those who get enough of the nutrient.

“I seldom drink milk and probably do not get enough of this vitamin,” said Rose. “I try to eat healthily and get the proper vitamins and nutrients. I don’t know if, when I have checkups, that levels of vitamin D are checked or not. I certainly will check with my doctor on this.”

According to a recent Canadian study, foods and supplements containing vitamin D may not have the best form of the nutrient – D-3 – and only have a slight effect on blood levels.

The results may renew arguments about whether a little more sun exposure is a good thing.

The skin makes vitamin D from ultraviolet light. While too much sun can raise the risk of skin cancer, small amounts – 15 minutes or so a few times a week without sunscreen – may be beneficial, doctors believe.

The study indicated only 24 percent of women participating had sufficient blood levels of D at the time they were first diagnosed with breast cancer.

Those who were deficient were nearly twice as likely to have their cancer recur or spread over the next 10 years, and 73 percent were more likely to die of the disease.

B.J. Guthrie, clerk at Oasis Health Food Store, said they keep plenty of vitamin D supplements on hand.

“Some people may not know that the darker their skin, the less vitamin D they absorb from sunlight,” he said. “It has something to do with the melanin levels in darker skin, but I do know vitamin D supplements are almost necessary to keep them from being deficient.”

According to an article by David Gutierrez on www.naturalnews.com, the Canadian Cancer Society recently advised that light-skinned people take a 1,000 international unit vitamin D supplement daily during fall and winter months, and that dark-skinned people or those who regularly keep all their skin covered while outdoors take a supplement year-round.

The recommendation for the 1,000 unit supplement comes from current evidence that suggests this amount will help reduce cancer risk with the least potential for harm, according to Heather Logan, director of the society’s Cancer Control Policy.

Vitamin D researcher Joan Lappe agreed with the CCS, saying the study was “out in the lead there on changing the recommendations.”

Lappe was lead researcher in a recent study that found women who take 1,100 IU of vitamin D per day showed a 60 percent reduced risk of developing cancer than women taking a placebo.

Experts indicate salmon and other oily fish contain vitamin D; however, dietary sources account for very little of the nutrient that circulates through the blood.

Guthrie said while fish may be one source of vitamin D, people should take care when buying it at the market.

“Freshwater fish is always better for you than farm-raised,” he said. “Farm raised fish have shown higher levels of PCBs and often, since they’re raised in a contained environment, end up eating their own feces. Beware of labels that read ‘fresh-water, farm-raised.’”

Doctors are suggesting breast cancer patients get their vitamin D levels checked to see whether they are deficient. A simple blood test is available in many hospitals and labs for about $25, according to a recent report by the Associated Press.

The AP report stated breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. About 184,450 cases and 40,930 deaths from the disease are expected in the U.S. this year.