Men exposed to sunlight on the job may have a reduced risk of contracting kidney cancer, suggests a recent study from the National Cancer Institute.
According to the study abstract, 1,097 individuals with kidney cancer and 1,476 without were interviewed about their occupational exposure to sunlight. Male participants with high levels of occupational sunlight exposure were found to have a 24-38 percent reduction in kidney cancer risk. Previous research has suggested that vitamin D, which can be obtained through sun exposure, may help prevent some cancers, the abstract said.
The same decrease in kidney cancer rates was not seen among women included in the study. Researchers found no clear explanation for the discrepancy.
The study was published in the March 8 issue of Cancer.