Avoidance of sun exposure as a risk factor for major causes of death: a competing risk analysis of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort
Journal of Internal Medicine. DOI: 10.1111/joim.12496
P. G. Lindqvist1,*, E. Epstein2, K. Nielsen3, M. Landin-Olsson4, C. Ingvar5 andH. Olsson6
Objective
Women with active sunlight exposure habits experience a lower mortality rate than women who avoid sun exposure; however, they are at an increased risk of skin cancer. We aimed to explore the differences in main causes of death according to sun exposure.
Methods
We assessed the differences in sun exposure as a risk factor for all-cause mortality in a competing risk scenario for 29 518 Swedish women in a prospective 20-year follow-up of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden (MISS) cohort. Women were recruited from 1990 to 1992 (aged 25–64 years at the start of the study). We obtained detailed information at baseline on sun exposure habits and potential confounders. The data were analysed using modern survival statistics.
Results
Women with active sun exposure habits were mainly at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and noncancer/non-CVD death as compared to those who avoided sun exposure. As a result of their increased survival, the relative contribution of cancer death increased in these women.
Nonsmokers who avoided sun exposure had a life expectancy similar to smokers in the highest sun exposure group, indicating that avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for death of a similar magnitude as smoking. Compared to the highest sun exposure group, life expectancy of avoiders of sun exposure was reduced by 0.6–2.1 years.
Conclusion
The longer life expectancy amongst women with active sun exposure habits was related to a decrease in CVD and noncancer/non-CVD mortality, causing the relative contribution of death due to cancer to increase.
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"We found smokers in the highest sun exposure group were at a similar risk as non-smokers avoiding sun exposure, indicating avoidance of sun exposure to be a risk factor of the same magnitude as smoking,"
Note: Live even longer if not get excessive sun on skin
- Have as much skin exposed at a time as possible (to minimize sun exposure to any portion of skin)
Note - Clothing which only partially blocks the sun is available (I use it) - Do not try to get vitamin D from the sun other than in the middle of the day
The increased UVA in the early morning and late afternoon may increase Cancer, while providing ZERO Vitamin D
See also VitaminDWiki
- 20 cent vitamin D pill similar to 2 hours sunbathing at 60 degree latitude – RCT Aug 2013
- No – 10 minutes per day of sun-UVB is NOT enough
The items in Noontime sun and Mortality are listed here:
- 340,000 US deaths annually due to insufficient sun (some due to low vitamin D) – July 2020
- Which Is Worse - Avoiding Sunlight or Vitamin D Deficiency – April 2019
- Avoiding the sun reduces lifespan by 2 years (smoking reduces lifespan by 10 years) – March 2016
- Sunbathing (vitamin D) increases lifespan in Sweden by about 1 year – March 2016
- Sun avoidance increases risk of death by 2X – April 2014
- Fewer heart attacks, hip fractures and deaths if more skin cancer – Sept 2013
- Why do gardeners live longer (vitamin D, etc.)
- Air conditioning has not totally canceled the latitude effective in the US yet – July 2013
- Dermatologists view of UV radiation and the Skin – June 2013
- Decreased mortality with sun and or altitude
See also web
- Sun is good for you – you may live longer, study finds VitaminDSociety
Press Release for this study by the Canadian Vitamin D Society