Does Insufficient Sunlight Exposure Increase Pancreatic Cancer Risk?

Last April, the effect of time spent in the sun on pancreatic cancer was investigated at the San Diego School of Medicine of the University of California in the United States.

The study examined pancreatic cancer incidence in 172 countries using data published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Country-specific pancreatic cancer incidence was compared with animal protein consumption rates obtained from the International Food and Agriculture Organization; smoking and obesity rates obtained from the World Health Organization; and solar ultraviolet B radiation and cloud cover information obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It found that; in countries with low exposure to ultraviolet B rays, pancreatic cancer was significantly more common than in countries with high exposure. The research highlights insufficient time in the sun as an important risk factor, alongside animal protein consumption, alcohol use, smoking, and obesity, which are known to increase pancreatic cancer risk.

Ultraviolet B rays in sunlight, which can penetrate our skin, play a role in the first stage of vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D affects many systems in our bodies. Therefore, when UVB exposure is insufficient, vitamin D levels in our bodies fall. Although this has not yet been clearly established, this decline is thought to increase pancreatic cancer risk, and therefore increasing vitamin D may be effective in preventing pancreatic cancer .

In conclusion; the finding of a high pancreatic cancer risk in countries receiving little sunlight in this study demonstrates the importance of time spent in the sun. Because of its geographical location, our country receives a quite sufficient amount of sunlight. However, one point requires attention: since UVB rays do not pass through glass, sunlight received behind glass will not provide vitamin D synthesis. Receiving sunlight outdoors will therefore be more beneficial for our bodies. However, sunbathing for very long periods to synthesize vitamin D (particularly between 10.00- 16.00) is inappropriate because it can trigger conditions such as sunburn and skin cancer. Receiving sunlight for 15 minutes a day outside those hours is sufficient for vitamin D synthesis.

Keywords: pancreatic cancer, sun exposure, cancer risk, vitamin D, ultraviolet B