International Journal of Epidemiology

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© 1980 Oxford University Press

research-article

Do Sunlight and Vitamin D Reduce the Likelihood of Colon Cancer?

CEDRIC F GARLAND^* and FRANK C GARLAND^*

^*Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA

Garland CF (Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, 615N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA) and Garland FC. Do sunlight and vitamin D reduce the likelihood of colon cancer. International Journal of Epidemiology 1980, 9: 227–231.

It is proposed that vitamin D is a protective factor against colon cancer. This hypothesis arose from inspection of the geographic distribution of colon cancer deaths in the U.S., which revealed that colon cancer mortality rates were highest in places where populations were exposed to the least amounts of natural light - major cities, and rural areas in high latitudes. The hypothesis is supported by a comparison of colon cancer mortality rates in areas that vary in mean daily solar radiation penetrating the atmosphere. A mechanism involving cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) is suggested. The possibility that an ecological fallacy or other indirect association explains the findings is explored.

Received 26 February 1980

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