According to data from 186 countries, a study published in the open-access journal BMC Public Health, inadequate exposure to UVB radiation from the sun could be linked to an increased risk for colorectal carcinoma, especially in older people.Researchers from the University of California San Diego (USA) investigated potential associations between 2017 global UVB levels and 2018 rates of colorectal Cancer in different age groups and countries.Researchers found that lower UVB exposure was associated with higher rates colorectal cancer in all age groups, from 0 to 75 in those who lived in the 186 countries covered in the study. After taking into account other factors such as skin color, life expectancy, smoking, and age, the association between lower UVB exposure and higher risk of colorectal carcinoma remained significant in those over 45. These data were available for 148 countries.According to the authors, lower UVB exposure could lead to vitamin D levels being reduced. Vitamin D deficiency was previously associated with an increased chance of developing colorectal carcinoma. According to the authors, future research could examine the possible benefits of vitamin D deficiency treatment on colorectal carcinoma, particularly in older age groups.Raphael Cuomo was co-author of this study. He stated that UVB light differences were responsible for large amounts of colorectal cancer rates variation, particularly for those over 45. This preliminary evidence suggests that people over 45 may have a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer if they take vitamin D supplements.The authors used UVB estimates from NASA EOS Aura in April 2017 as well as data on colorectal and colon cancer rates for 2018 in 186 countries, both from the Global Cancer (GLOBOCAN), database. They also collected data from 148 countries about skin pigmentation, life expectancy and smoking. Canada, Norway, Denmark, and Canada had lower UVB levels, while India, Sudan, Nigeria and Nigeria had higher UVB.Other factors, including clothing, air pollution and vitamin D supplements, could also affect UVB and vitamin D levels. However, these were not considered in the study. The study's observational nature does not permit for conclusive conclusions. More research is required to better understand the relationship between UVB exposure and colorectal carcinoma.###Contact MediaTara EadieThe Press OfficerSpringer NatureT: +44 2034 26329E: tara.eadie@springernature.comNotes to the editor:1. Is there a way to increase the strength and inverse relationship between UVB exposure and colorectal carcinoma? BMC Public Health 2021 DOI 10.1186/s12889-011-11089-wTara Eadie can provide an embargoed copy the research article.The article will be accessible here after the embargo has been lifted: https:/// / BMC Public Health. biomedcentral. biomedcentral.com/ articles/ 10. 1186/ s12889 021-11089 -wIn any story that you write, please identify the journal. Please link to the article if you are writing for the internet. According to the open access policy of BMC, all articles are free.2. BMC Public Health, an open access peer-reviewed journal, accepts articles on epidemiology and understanding all aspects of public healthcare. The journal focuses on social determinants, occupational, environmental and behavioral correlates of disease and health as well as the effects of policies, practices, and interventions on the community.3. BMC is a pioneer in open access publishing. It has a growing portfolio of quality peer-reviewed journals that includes broad interest titles like BMC Biology and BMC Medicine as well as specialist journals like Malaria Journal, Microbiome and the BMC series. Research is ongoing at BMC. Our commitment to innovation is to improve the support of communities. We also ensure the integrity of research published and promote open research. BMC is part Springer Nature. This gives us more opportunities to connect authors and help them advance their discoveries around the globe.
