The Relationship Between Vitamin D Status and Risk of Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Vitamin D plays an important role in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus and bone health, but is also involved in several other important biological processes. Epidemiological studies indicate that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is very high globally. Recent studies have shown an association between vitamin D status with the prevalence and outcomes of several cancers that includes gastric cancer, which is a common cancer with a poor prognosis. The early diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer, in its advanced stages, is difficult and patients who are diagnosed at an advanced stage have a poor prognosis. In this review, we have summarized the recent studies investigating the association between vitamin D status and the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer.