Increased Sun Exposure Is Linked To Lower Risk Of Breast Cancer: Study

Increased sun exposure is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University at Buffalo and the University of Puerto Rico.

The sun in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is almost present throughout the day. The researches which involve sunlight and its effect on breast cancer have been conducted and is still happening to get on concrete conclusions.

Researchers of the university have made use of the device called chromameter to compare the result of skin pigmentation and color when various skin types are exposed to the sun and also when they are not. They conducted 307 case studies and found 328 control methods.  The variation in skin pigmentation was used to calculate the average amount of sun exposure.

Sun Exposure and Breast Cancer:

"We were able to look at this association in a population with a wide range of skin color and year-round high sun exposure because this study was of Puerto Rican women," said study senior author Jo L. Freudenheim, who is a  Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health in the School of Public Health and Health Professions.

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While recent recommendations have been to limit sun exposure to prevent skin cancer, some sun exposure, especially without sunburn, may be beneficial. There are many pieces of evidence gained from the study that shows sun exposure reduces the risk of breast cancer.

Previous research on sun exposure and breast cancer has been done in areas where UV radiation varies seasonally, with periods of low to no exposure. However, there is no significant seasonal variation in Puerto Rico, which means that those who spend time outside may be exposed to high UV radiation all year.

Women who had the most cumulative sun exposure had a lower risk of breast cancer. Similarly, the risk was lower regardless of estrogen receptor status, and it was even lower among those with darker skin.

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