Dire warnings about excessive sun exposure have been overdone, causing a worrying deficiency in vitamin D in most adults. Now researchers have discovered that the sun’s ultraviolet rays protect us against pancreatic cancer.
People living in the sunniest parts of the world have a 24 per cent lower risk for the cancer, and those with lighter and sensitive skin – and were more affected by the sun’s rays – had a 49 per cent decreased risk.
Paradoxically, skin cancer and lesions also have a protective effect on pancreatic cancer, and sufferers have a 40 per cent lower risk than those who are healthy.
Researchers from Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia monitored the health, skin type and sun exposure of 714 people living in the state and compared them to 709 others.
(Source: American Association for Cancer Research Pancreatic Cancer conference, June 18-21).
