Study: Sun Provides Some Protection Against Prostate Cancer

Higher levels of exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun may provide some protection against both the development and severity of prostate cancer, according to a report in The Lancet.

The researchers at the North Staffordshire Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, and Keele University reported investigating the effect of exposure to the sun on 210 patients with prostate cancer and 155 members of the control group.

Professor Richard Strange reported that patients who had a low exposure to ultraviolet rays had a higher rate of development of prostate cancer.

"Furthermore, cases with low ultraviolet ray exposure developed cancer at a younger median age (67.7 years) than cases with higher exposure (72.1 years)," Strange reported.

"This has opened up a new avenue of research but there's a long way to go before we will be in a position to offer advice on safe and beneficial levels of exposure to the sun," Strange said. "There is an interesting dilemma here, of course, because the results suggest UV exposure is helpful in preventing prostate cancer but it is believed that over-exposure can lead to skin cancer."

Other Sources: The Lancet