VDR and breast cancer: That vitamin D may protect against cancer is of particular interest in regard to BC,26,27 beyond its immediate vitamin D receptor-mediated role in cellular differentiation.28,29 The mechanisms of interest need to be investigated in Northeast Asian women, who are generally of shorter stature than whites but are now increasing in height, have a diet that includes rice, greens, soy, pork, and fish, and live in the subtropics but have an aversion to direct sunlight.