Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Mammographic density and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels
Katherine D Crew1, Julie Campbell2, Diane Reynolds3
1Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA ; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA ; The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, 161 Fort Washington Ave, 10-1072, New York, NY 10032, USA.
This study found no overall association between vitamin D levels and mammographic density in women. However, a seasonal inverse relationship was observed, suggesting further research is needed for vitamin D and breast cancer risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Radiology
Background:
- Vitamin D influences breast tissue characteristics and is linked to breast cancer risk.
- Dietary vitamin D intake correlates with reduced mammographic density (MD), a key breast cancer risk indicator.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and mammographic density (MD).
- To explore vitamin D status as a potential breast cancer risk factor in a multi-ethnic cohort.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 114 women aged 40-60 without prior breast cancer for screening mammography.
- Collected blood samples for serum 25(OH)D measurement and digitized mammograms to assess MD.
- Utilized multivariable analysis, adjusting for confounders like BMI and race.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between overall serum 25(OH)D levels and MD measures.
- A significant inverse association between 25(OH)D and dense breast area was observed during July-December.
- Higher 25(OH)D levels were associated with white race, higher education, breastfeeding, and summer blood draws.
Conclusions:
- Circulating vitamin D, a modifiable risk factor, does not appear to be associated with mammographic density overall.
- Observed seasonal effects on the vitamin D-MD relationship warrant replication in larger studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...