A study at Washington University School of Medicine is investigating whether patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer may benefit from taking vitamin D supplements.
Cancer patients often experience joint pain as a result of their medication, but researchers believe that vitamin D may help to reduce the level of pain.
The team have recruited volunteers who are divided into two groups, all of whom take calcium supplements.
In addition, half of the participants have been placed on 50,000IU of vitamin D per week for six months.
One of the participants, 62-year-old Brenda Steinmetz, told the St Louis Post-Dispatch that she had experienced arthritis-like symptoms after undergoing cancer treatment.
"Within a week or less [of taking vitamin D] I could tell I was more energetic," she revealed. "I know that it has helped me and made me feel better."
Lead researcher Dr Antonella Rastelli hopes to recruit more volunteers but said: "Anecdotally we've seen a lot of improvement."
A study at Washington University School of Medicine is investigating whether patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer may benefit from taking vitamin D supplements.
