UA News

The Arizona Cancer Center Cancer Prevention Program is seeking healthy men and women, at least 50 years old, for a study to find out if taking a high dose of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) twice each week for eight to nine weeks could help prevent skin cancer in people who have sun-damaged skin and low blood levels of vitamin D.

Participants provide information about their medical history and have a skin exam. Small skin samples and blood samples are collected during the study. Participants keep a diary of when they take the test medication, their daily sun exposure and the status of their health.

Qualified participants:

• Have a low level of vitamin D in their blood (measured by a blood test);
• Have moderate to severe sun damage on their right forearm;
• Have not had invasive cancer or cancer treatment in the past five years;
• Have not had non-melanoma skin cancer on the right forearm in the past 6 months;
• Are willing to stop taking all herbal supplements and take no more than a standard-dose vitamin supplement for the duration of the study;
• Are willing to refrain from using tanning booths or pursuing a sun tan during the study;
• Are willing to use sunscreen or sunblock and shield their skin from sun exposure when spending time outdoors;
• Meet all other eligibility requirements for this study.

Female study participants must be post-menopausal, surgically sterile or agree to use effective contraception for the duration of the study. Compensation will be provided to qualified study participants.