Vitamin D May Double Chances of Surviving Breast Cancer

Vitamin D may be saving women with breast cancer.

In a new study published in Anticancer Research, researchers found that breast cancer patients that had high levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to survive than women with low levels. They reviewed five studies that observed more than 4,440 women with breast cancer.

“The study has implications for including vitamin D as an adjuvant to conventional breast cancer therapy,” study co-author Dr. Heather Hofflich, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego, said in a press release.

The researchers recommend that vitamin D should be added to the various treatments given to women fighting breast cancer. The body naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but milk, fatty fish and other foods can also boost production. Patients could also take vitamin D supplements.

Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com.