Reduced Prostate Cancer Incidence Correlated With Greater Sunlight Exposure
A study published in the June 15 2005 issue of the journal Cancer Research reported that increased exposure to sunlight equaled a decreased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Vitamin D produced in the skin as the result of exposure to the sun is believed to be the mechanism behind this finding.
Previous research by coauthor Gary G Schwartz, PhD of Wake Forest University discovered that the prostate gland uses vitamin D to promote the normal growth of prostate cells and to prevent the spread of prostate cancer.
In the largest study of its kind so far, researchers from the Northern California Cancer Center, the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University compared 450 Caucasian men with advanced prostate cancer to 455 men without the disease.
Sun exposure was measured by comparing the skin under the arm, which is protected from sunlight exposure, to the skin on the forehead.
In addition, lifetime exposure history was obtained from the participants.
While underarm sunlight exposure was equal in both groups, men who did not have prostate cancer had significantly darker forehead pigmentation than underarm skin compared to the group with cancer, demonstrating an association between exposure and decreased prostate cancer risk.
This risk was further reduced in men with specific gene variants.
The authors stress that men should not attempt to lower prostate cancer risk by sunbathing because of the risk of skin cancer induced by this practice.
They stated, "If future studies continue to show reductions in prostate cancer risk associated with sun exposure, increasing vitamin D intake from diet and supplements may be the safest solution to achieve adequate levels of vitamin D.
"
Vitamin D produced in the skin as the result of exposure to the sun is believed to be the mechanism behind this finding.
Previous research by coauthor Gary G Schwartz, PhD of Wake Forest University discovered that the prostate gland uses vitamin D to promote the normal growth of prostate cells and to prevent the spread of prostate cancer.
In the largest study of its kind so far, researchers from the Northern California Cancer Center, the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University compared 450 Caucasian men with advanced prostate cancer to 455 men without the disease.
Sun exposure was measured by comparing the skin under the arm, which is protected from sunlight exposure, to the skin on the forehead.
In addition, lifetime exposure history was obtained from the participants.
While underarm sunlight exposure was equal in both groups, men who did not have prostate cancer had significantly darker forehead pigmentation than underarm skin compared to the group with cancer, demonstrating an association between exposure and decreased prostate cancer risk.
This risk was further reduced in men with specific gene variants.
The authors stress that men should not attempt to lower prostate cancer risk by sunbathing because of the risk of skin cancer induced by this practice.
They stated, "If future studies continue to show reductions in prostate cancer risk associated with sun exposure, increasing vitamin D intake from diet and supplements may be the safest solution to achieve adequate levels of vitamin D.
"
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