Sunlight exposure reduces cancer risk, study finds

08/12/2024 / By Olivia Cook

Solar radiation accounts for more cases of skin cancer than any other single factor. In the United States, skin cancers are the most prevalent, leading dermatologists to frequently advise sun avoidance. Despite this, the most fatal skin cancers are associated with insufficient sunlight exposure.

Emerging evidence suggests that sunlight exposure, particularly due to the vitamin D produced in the skin under solar radiation, could have beneficial effects on certain cancers.

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) shed light on the potential benefits of sunlight in reducing cancer risk and improving outcomes. Two independent epidemiological studies showed intriguing evidence that solar radiation could play a beneficial role in both the incidence and prognosis of certain cancers. (Related: A healthy dose of sunshine is vital for good health.)

The first study explored the link between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the risk of developing malignant (cancerous) lymphomas, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Conducted in Denmark and Sweden, the research involved nearly 3,800 patients diagnosed between October 1999 and August 2002, along with almost 3,200 population controls. Participants provided detailed histories of UV exposure, skin cancer and other potential lymphoma risk factors.

Results from multivariable-adjusted analyses showed a consistent and significant reduction in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma risk with higher UV light exposure.

Frequent sunbathing, sunburns at age 20 and sun vacations were associated with 30 to 40 percent lower risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These protective effects strengthened with increased UV exposure. Although similar patterns were observed for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the associations were weaker.

Notably, a history of skin cancer doubled the risk of both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas – suggesting that the protective effect of UV is unlikely mediated by skin cancer.

Sun exposure linked with lower mortality rates from certain skin cancers

The second study examined the relationship between sun exposure and mortality from cutaneous melanoma, a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer.

The study, published in the journal Journal of the National Cancer Institute, analyzed over 500 melanoma patients from a population-based study and followed them for an average of more than five years. Researchers collected data on intermittent sun exposure, physician screening and skin self-screening during in-person interviews and histopathology reviews (which include Breslow thickness, mitoses and solar elastosis).

Key findings indicated that higher intermittent sun exposure, skin awareness, solar elastosis (skin changes due to chronic sun damage) and sunburns were significantly associated with lower melanoma mortality.

Conversely, factors, such as melanoma thickness, mitoses (cell division rates), ulceration and location on the head and neck were linked to higher melanoma mortality. Multivariable analyses confirmed that skin awareness and solar elastosis were strong indications of improved melanoma survival – even after accounting for tumor thickness, mitotic index and head and neck location.

These studies suggest that sunlight exposure, particularly through the vitamin D synthesis it promotes, may have protective effects against certain cancers that improve survival rates in melanoma patients.

While it remains essential to balance sun exposure to prevent skin cancer, these findings highlight the complex and potentially beneficial role of sunlight in cancer prevention and survival.

Watch Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, explain the truth about sunlight, cancer and vitamin D in the video below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.