Breast cancer affects women all over the world and this cancer is a major cause of death among women. According to current research, sun exposure can reduce the risk of breast cancer because sun exposure increases the production of vitamin D which can reduce the risk or severity of cancer.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that occurs naturally in foods. It is also found in food supplements and is produced when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The rays strike the skin and activate vitamin D synthesis.
Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium in the gut, it is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling. It also helps in the reduction of inflammation in the body, as well as cell growth, and nerve and immune function. It also plays an important role in controlling the function as well as preventing cancer. Apart from this, it also relieves osteoporosis, depression, and muscle weakness.
How is Vitamin D Made from the Sun?
When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it converts cholesterol in your skin into vitamin D. The sun’s ultraviolet rays target cholesterol in skin cells, which provides energy for vitamin D synthesis.
Disadvantages of Vitamin D Deficiency
There is no doubt that the best and cheapest natural source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight, but it is often seen that people avoid going out in the sun or being exposed to direct sunlight.
Over 50% of people are deficient in vitamin D due to the use of sunscreen.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak bones, muscle problems, and most of all the life-threatening disease cancer.
For any bone disease, skin disease, or cancer-related information visit Marham’s website or you can also contact the bone doctor directly at this number 03111222398.
Sun and Breast Cancer
Now the question arises whether sunshine reduces the risk of breast cancer? If yes, then how different research has come out in this matter.
In a study reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that women with sun exposure had half the risk of advanced breast cancer compared to women with less sun exposure.
The scientists used a portable reflectometer to measure the skin tone of the underarms, the part of the body not exposed to direct sunlight. Then, they compared the skin tone of the forehead and underarms of women with breast cancer and women without breast cancer.
In this study, they found that women with light skin who had more exposure to sunlight did not have breast cancer, unlike women who did not get exposure to sunlight. The reason was their lack of vitamin D. This suggests that vitamin D may be important for shrinking breast cancer cells.
You can also watch this video by Dr. Shysta Shaukat who is a Consultant Gynecologist and is going to share some important information regarding breast cancer.
Researchers’ Opinion
The researchers emphasized that sunlight is not the only source of vitamin D, but vitamin D can also be obtained through diet and medication.
There is no need to over-expose yourself in the sun because too much sun exposure also increases the risk of skin cancer.
According to them, if future studies continue to show a reduction in the risk of breast cancer associated with sunlight exposure, an adequate increase in the amount of vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight as well as food and supplements.
Many risk factors for breast cancer are not modifiable, so our finding is that a modifiable habit of vitamin D can reduce the risk of cancer.
If you have any questions or want a treatment related to cancer, then you can consult the best oncologist in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long do you need to be in the sun for vitamin D?
For vitamin D, you need to stay in the sun for 5 to 30 minutes without sunscreen.
2. Does sunlight reduce cancer risk?
Sunlight can increase vitamin D production which can reduce the cancer risk and also help in reducing the risk of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
3. What can reduce the risk of breast cancer?
One should stay physically active and should avoid alcohol consumption. Moreover, one should also maintain a healthy weight.