Sunburn and recreational exposure to the sun, e. g. during a summer holiday, encourage skin cancer, particularly in fair-skinned people. At the same time, the risk of contracting skin cancer is strongly determined by genetic factors. British scientists have been investigating how vitamin D levels in the blood affect the risk of skin cancer.
The scientists analysed tumours and prognoses for a large group of skin cancer patients. They discovered that patients with insufficient levels of vitamin D suffered larger tumours, and that the development of the disease was worse than in patients with high vitamin D levels. Australian scientists arrived at similar results. They showed that regular occupational exposure to the sun reduces the risk of skin cancer.
“The scientists observe that regular moderate exposure to the sun helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Modern lifestyles, which mainly mean indoor living, are therefore linked to a higher cancer risk. We recommend regular, moderate exposure to the sun to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D, as well as a natural sunscreen”, Ad Brand, spokesperson for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Sources:
1) Field, S. Newton-Bishop, J. A. Melanoma and vitamin D. Molecular oncology. 2011 Apr; 5 (2): 197-214.
2) Vuong K, McGeechan K, Armstrong BK; AMFS Investigators; GEM Investigators, Cust AE: Occupational sun exposure and risk of melanoma according to anatomical site, Int J Cancer. 2013 Nov 13. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28603. [Epub ahead of print]
The scientists analysed tumours and prognoses for a large group of skin cancer patients. They discovered that patients with insufficient levels of vitamin D suffered larger tumours, and that the development of the disease was worse than in patients with high vitamin D levels. Australian scientists arrived at similar results. They showed that regular occupational exposure to the sun reduces the risk of skin cancer.
“The scientists observe that regular moderate exposure to the sun helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Modern lifestyles, which mainly mean indoor living, are therefore linked to a higher cancer risk. We recommend regular, moderate exposure to the sun to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D, as well as a natural sunscreen”, Ad Brand, spokesperson for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Sources:
1) Field, S. Newton-Bishop, J. A. Melanoma and vitamin D. Molecular oncology. 2011 Apr; 5 (2): 197-214.
2) Vuong K, McGeechan K, Armstrong BK; AMFS Investigators; GEM Investigators, Cust AE: Occupational sun exposure and risk of melanoma according to anatomical site, Int J Cancer. 2013 Nov 13. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28603. [Epub ahead of print]
