Researchers in China have shown that people with the most UV exposure — particularly UVB exposure that makes vitamin D in the skin — have lower overall cancer rates, according to a study published this week in the journal Cancer Causes and Control.

“Studies finding an inverse correlation of ambient solar irradiance with cancer mortality were the first to suggest that sun exposure and probably, therefore, vitamin D might protect against some cancers. Such correlation has been shown in Asian populations in some studies,” the authors wrote. An international team submitted the paper, led by Dr. Wanqing Chen, Dr, Mark Clements and Australian researcher Dr. Bruce Armstrong

Their study supported the findings of previous papers. “Mortality from all cancers together and most major cancers in China was inversely associated with solar UVB. These associations were similar to those observed in a number of populations of European origin. Incidence of some cancer types had the same correlation with UVB. They suggest the possibility that vitamin D may reduce the incidence or improve the outcome of cancer in Chinese people,” they wrote.

Medical News Today reported, “Survey results of the study led by Wanqing Chen suggest that the sunshine vitamin that the body creates naturally in response to ultraviolet rays might lower the incidence rates or improve the outcomes of cancer amongst the Chinese population. The findings also demonstrate that industrialization and a lack of sun exposure go hand in hand.”

The study, “Relationship between cancer mortality/incidence and ambient ultraviolet B irradiance in China” is on PubMed by clicking here.