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TUCSON - Researchers like Beth Jacobs at the Arizona Cancer Center say even though Arizonans get plenty of sun, their Vitamin D levels are surprising low. And that's a problem when it comes to reducing cancer risks.

"75 percent of Tucsonans are actually below the target levels that we want them to be at and part of that is because of the ethnic make of Tucson,"said Dr. Beth Jacobs.

Researchers at the Arizona Cancer Center said part of the study is testing the effectiveness of Vitamin D supplements.

"Were purchasing the supplements off the shelf just like any population would do,"said Jacobs.

Andy Tofel is one patient trying the supplement, which according to researchers is a hormone usually found in some foods.

Tofel said he's been fighting colon cancer for 4 years, and said his oncologist told him to give Vitamin D a try.

"Particularly for colon cancer theres a lot of data that suggests vitamin D is very helpful,"said Tofel.

And Andy said so far so good. "Based on the research its effective for patients that are fighting cancer, so its definitely a supplement that Im very interested in continuing taking,"said Tofel.

With this study, researchers hope Andy is one of many patients they can help.

"We see the people were love and the people around us suffering, and anything we can do to prevent that or stop it, thats why were doing our work,"said Jacobs.

According to researchers, by 2011 the recommended intake for Vitamin D wil go up to 1,000 IU's, which is 4 times recommended right now.