Breast-cancer gene research is promising

To the editor:

New research published in the British Journal of Cancer shows vitamin D, which helps the body take up calcium from food and which has a role in cell growth and death, may help protect against breast cancer and in some forms may even be used to shrink existing tumors.

Studies also have discovered that some women who have a fault or who have a different version of a gene called the vitamin D receptor are twice as likely to develop breast cancer as other women.

Vitamin D normally binds to the receptor like a key fits into a lock. Now evidence indicates vitamin D may protect against some cancers, but this only works if vitamin D fits the receptor.

The identification of the gene may make it possible to find out which women are at increased risk of breast cancer and to tailor treatment to reduce the risk.

CHRISTINE E. STEPHENS

Cape Girardeau