The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found these patients had a 39 percent less chance of dying from colon cancer. However, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston said it is too early to recommend supplements as part of cancer treatment.

"Our data suggest that higher pre-diagnosis plasma levels of (vitamin D) after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer may significantly improve overall survival," the study authors said in a statement.

Study leaders Dr. Kimmie Ng and Dr. Charles Fuchs identified 304 colorectal cancer patients whose vitamin D levels were measured in blood samples given at least two years prior to their diagnosis.

By 2005, 123 patients had died -- 96 from colorectal cancer. Those whose vitamin D levels put them in the top quarter were compared to the quarter having the least amount of vitamin D. Individuals with the vitamin D levels in the highest quartile were 48 percent less likely to die -- from any cause -- than those with the lowest vitamin D. The odds of dying from colon cancer were 39 percent lower.

The findings are published in the Journal of Oncology.