The findings add to the already strong evidence that the "sunshine vitamin" helps prevent many types of cancer. The body makes vitamin D from sunlight. It's also found in some foods.
One study found that high levels of vitamin D translated to a 50 percent lower risk of breast cancer. Even modestly higher levels resulted in ten percent less risk.
A second study, by Canadian researchers, found that women who spent time outdoors or got a lot of vitamin D from their diets or supplements, especially as teens, were 25 percent to 45 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than women with less of the nutrient.
Both studies were presented Tuesday at a meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington.
