Abstract
Background: The current vitamin D deficiency epidemic is accompanied by an increase in endemic skin cancer. There are still multiple controversies. This review aims to give practical recommendations regarding vitamin D among people at risk or with a personal history of skin cancer. Methods: Narrative review including human research articles published between 2011 and 2021, elaborated bearing in mind an epidemiological, patient-centered approach. Results: Ultraviolet (UV) exposure (neither artificial nor natural) is not the ideal source to synthesize vitamin D. There is conflicting epidemiological evidence regarding vitamin D, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and cutaneous melanoma (CMM), confounded by the effect of sun exposure and other factors. Conclusions: Current evidence is controversial, and there are no widely applicable strategies. We propose three practical recommendations. Firstly, sun protection recommendations should be kept among people at risk or with a personal history of skin cancer. Secondly, vitamin D should preferably be sourced through diet. In patients with melanoma or at risk of cutaneous cancer, serum vitamin D checks are warranted to detect and avoid its insufficiency.
Highlights
Introduction distributed under the terms and Misnamed vitamin D is a true hormone that humans can synthesize upon sun exposure or through a balanced and healthy diet including vitamin D-rich foods or supplements
Some studies have observed that vitamin D synthesis may protect against non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)
It is currently accepted that dietary and supplemental vitamin D is functionally identical to that produced after UV exposure, being more reliable and quantifiable source of this vitamin [19]
Summary
Our current predominantly indoor lifestyle with unhealthy, intense, and sporadic sun exposure, along with other factors (such as human migratory movements), have contributed to the vitamin D deficiency epidemic. This epidemic is accompanied by an increase in endemic skin cancer [1]. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the leading environmental risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Some studies have observed that vitamin D synthesis may protect against NMSC. The optimum vitamin D dose to reduce skin cancer risk has yet to be confirmed [2]
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