Vitamin D deficiency in cancer care: Information, diagnosis, and supplementation from the patients' point of view

Objective: Vitamin D is still under scientific discussion concerning prevention and complementary treatment of cancer. Our aim was to gather data on oncological patients' medical information and their medical treatment situation regarding vitamin D with the focus on hematological cancer patients at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Material and methods: A questionnaire was provided online for members of the German Leukemia and Lymphoma Support Association (DLH), containing different sections regarding cancer and cancer treatment, bone density measurement and therapy, information, and communication regarding vitamin D. Results: Overall, 303 patients were included. 65.3% of the patients received a vitamin D blood level test and 75.8% of them stated having been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. Regarding bone density measurement, postmenopausal women received a measurement more often than premenopausal women. However, 48.5% of the postmenopausal women did not receive a measurement. Overall, 42.8% were satisfied with the information they received from their attending physician regarding vitamin D. Patients were more satisfied if they started the conversation with their physician about vitamin D. Conclusion: These results highlight the inconsistent procedures with respect to vitamin D and the mandatory need of a standardized screening and examination to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Appropriate monitoring of patients at risk, prescription of vitamin D if needed, and bone density measurement during cancer should be part of standardized operation procedures. As in the meantime, the new guideline on complementary medicine has been published in Germany, the respective recommendation on measuring vitamin D and supplementing in case of low levels must be spread via the various channels of professional formation for specialists and general practitioners and should also be included in the training of young physicians and in the teaching of students.