Vitamin D3 from sunlight may improve the prognosis of breast-, colon- and prostate cancer (Norway) Trude Eid Robsahm The Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Cancer Research, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway; Ph.: +47-23333967/22451300; Fax: +47-22451370; E-mail: trude.eid.robsahm@kreftregisteret.no Steinar Tretli The Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Cancer Research, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway; Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway Arne Dahlback Institute of Physics, The University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway Johan Moan Institute of Physics, The University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; Institute for Cancer Research, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway Abstract Objective: To investigate whether prognosis of breast-, colon- and prostate cancer may be related to vitamin D3, induced from solar ultra-violet (UV) radiation, through studies on geographical and seasonal variations in UV radiation. Methods: This study includes 115,096 cases of breast-, colon- or prostate cancer, diagnosed between 1964 and 1992. Among these, 45,667 deaths due to the cancer were registered. On the basis of a northsouth gradient in solar UV radiation and geographical climatic differences, Norway was divided into eight residential regions. According to seasonal variations in UV radiation, four periods of diagnosis during the year were used. Case fatality according to residential region and to season of diagnosis was estimated using Cox regression. The effects of occupational sun exposure, childbearing pattern and educational level were also evaluated. Results: No geographic variation in case fatality was observed for the three cancer types studied. A significant variation in prognosis by season of diagnosis was observed. Diagnoses during summer and fall, the seasons with the highest level of vitamin D3, revealed the lowest risk of cancer death. Conclusion: The results suggest that a high level of vitamin D3 at the time of diagnosis, and thus, during cancer treatment, may improve prognosis of the three cancer types studied. ============================================================= Breast Cancer News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, part of the Mid Hudson Options Project, a grassroots Breast Cancer Health Advocacy, Support and Activist Group. Cancer Causes and Control 15 (2): 149-158, March 2004 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.