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AlaskaAngel · 10-19-2006, 09:56 AM

Hi Sarah. Here's another. I'm fanatical about putting as much of my skin as possible in the sunshine for at least 20 minutes if there is any sunshine at all, even in very cold weather....

Cancer survival tied to season of diagnosis, sunlight exposure

Reuters Health
Posting Date: October 18, 2006

Last Updated: 2006-10-18 11:55:05 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The season in which cancer is diagnosed appears to affect survival, as does sunlight exposure to some extent, according to a study published in the October issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

"Sunlight is essential for the production of vitamin D in the body," Dr. Hyun-Sook Lim, of King's College London, UK, and colleagues write. "Evidence exists to suggest that vitamin D metabolites may have a role in tumor growth suppression."

The researchers used data from the Thames Cancer Registry to assess survival for cancers of the breast, colorectum, lung, prostate, and all sites combined, in relation to season of diagnosis and sunlight exposure.

Patients who were diagnosed with cancer in summer and autumn had better survival compared to those diagnosed in winter. This was especially true in female breast cancer patients and both male and female lung cancer patients. The beneficial effect on survival was also observed for cancers at all sites combined in both sexes.

Cumulative sunlight exposure in the months preceding cancer diagnosis also predicted subsequent survival. However, season of diagnosis was a stronger predictor.

"Our results add to a growing body of evidence that vitamin D may play an important role in cancer survival," the investigators conclude.

Int J Cancer 2006;119:1530-1536.

10-19-2006, 09:56 AM	#2
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Just common sense, or scientifically based, it is worth considering Hi Sarah. Here's another. I'm fanatical about putting as much of my skin as possible in the sunshine for at least 20 minutes if there is any sunshine at all, even in very cold weather.... Cancer survival tied to season of diagnosis, sunlight exposure Reuters Health Posting Date: October 18, 2006 Last Updated: 2006-10-18 11:55:05 -0400 (Reuters Health) NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The season in which cancer is diagnosed appears to affect survival, as does sunlight exposure to some extent, according to a study published in the October issue of the International Journal of Cancer. "Sunlight is essential for the production of vitamin D in the body," Dr. Hyun-Sook Lim, of King's College London, UK, and colleagues write. "Evidence exists to suggest that vitamin D metabolites may have a role in tumor growth suppression." The researchers used data from the Thames Cancer Registry to assess survival for cancers of the breast, colorectum, lung, prostate, and all sites combined, in relation to season of diagnosis and sunlight exposure. Patients who were diagnosed with cancer in summer and autumn had better survival compared to those diagnosed in winter. This was especially true in female breast cancer patients and both male and female lung cancer patients. The beneficial effect on survival was also observed for cancers at all sites combined in both sexes. Cumulative sunlight exposure in the months preceding cancer diagnosis also predicted subsequent survival. However, season of diagnosis was a stronger predictor. "Our results add to a growing body of evidence that vitamin D may play an important role in cancer survival," the investigators conclude. Int J Cancer 2006;119:1530-1536.