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Does sunlight have a beneficial influence on certain cancers?
Anne Kricker1, Bruce Armstrong
1School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building A27, NSW 2006, Australia. annek@health.usyd.edu.au
Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
|April 6, 2006
Summary
Sunlight exposure may reduce cancer risk and improve survival. Research suggests an inverse relationship between solar radiation and mortality for several cancer types, including breast and colon cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ecological studies initially suggested a link between lower solar radiation in northern regions and increased cancer mortality.
- This inverse association has been observed for various cancers, including those of the colon, breast, ovary, and prostate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between solar radiation, vitamin D levels, and cancer incidence, mortality, and survival.
- To synthesize evidence from ecological, case-control, and cohort studies on the role of sun exposure in cancer risk and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of ecological studies examining North-South cancer mortality gradients in relation to solar radiation.
- Analysis of case-control and cohort studies investigating individual sun exposure and cancer risk.
- Inclusion of studies on serum and dietary vitamin D levels and their association with cancer risk.
- Examination of seasonal variations in cancer survival as an indicator of sun exposure effects.
Main Results:
- Consistent inverse association between ambient solar radiation and mortality for colon, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
- Individual studies confirm sun exposure's role in reducing risks for colon, breast, and prostate cancers.
- Vitamin D levels show association with reduced colorectal and possibly prostate cancer risks.
- Sun exposure may reduce non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk and improve melanoma survival.
- Seasonal variations in diagnosis suggest improved outcomes for breast, colon, prostate, and Hodgkin lymphoma with greater sun exposure.
Conclusions:
- Sun exposure, potentially mediated by vitamin D, appears to play a protective role against several cancer types.
- Evidence suggests sun exposure may not only reduce cancer incidence but also improve patient survival and outcomes.
- Further research into the mechanisms and clinical applications of sun exposure in cancer prevention and treatment is warranted.