True that some naturally have lower levels of Vit. D. I am trying to raise mine because I figure that it is worth a shot. I worked nights for years and then was up nights after becoming primary care giver for parents and now adult disabled child. Think I have been night person now for over 20+ years. Minimal exposure to sunlight. It is worth it to me, personally, to try and raise my levels.
And while low Vit. D may not have anything to do with bladder cancer, there has been research since 2015 that indicates it works quite well in conjunction with BCG. And the data harvesting was done from studies and papers that involved adults as well as infants.
And I found these:
"Vitamin D receptors have been detected in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the human bladder, and vitamin D inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human bladder tumor cells in vitro"
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5386108/
"Recently, low-serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and obesity have been suggested to increase the BC risk, and leptin, which is important in weight regulation, may be involved in bladder carcinogenesis. More knowledge on potential risk factors for BC is necessary for planning and implementing primary prevention measures."
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5884376/
For me these indications had significance because of my history of being a 'night person' and because I am overweight. I am working on losing weight and will be going back in 3 months for labs. I will post on results in Vit. D levels. I will also be taking Vit. E and Vit. C. My Vit. C levels were basement. Not thinking either of those (Vits. E and C) have anything to do with bladder cancer or prevention, other than they are antioxidants.
I am not a professional or any sort of expert. This is all info I have come across after the synchronicity of joining this forum for a completely different reason than looking into the role of supplements in bladder cancer and prevention of same, and finding the original post about Vit D.
My Urologist doesn't put any sort of confidence in using supplements or following any sort of diet. He only preaches against smoking and exposure to aromatic amines.
I will say that I belong to another bladder cancer forum and someone there posted a poll about using supplements and following specific dietary regimens. Responses ran the gamut from those who went strictly Vegan, alkaline and took specific supplements to those who continued eating junk food and drinking a lot. Everyone had quit smoking if they were smokers in the beginning. It seemed that people had similar results as far as treating their cancer and how well it responded.
Personally? I truly think attitude and being around people you love has a lot to do with it. Seeking and finding joy in life. For years I heard that if you change your perception you can change your life. I've lived through terminal cancer as caregiver with both parents and now care for an adult child with TBI. I finally had to change how I looked at life and my definition of personal happiness. It has helped immeasurably.
So, do what thou wilt. Follow whatever diet or supplementary regimen you want. Just don't lose what brings you joy in your daily life.
BCG is used to vaccinate children against TB and there have been studies with BCG and vitamin D in some infants. I see no studies that would lead me to take extra vitamin D.