July 1, 2015 (foodconsumer.org) -- Doctors believe that excessive exposure to the sun or UV rays is a risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma, which is a deadly skin cancer.  So they advise that people should use sunscreens to avoid sun exposure or UV radiation whenever they can.  The fact is, according to a new report in Dermato-Endocrinology, that reduced exposure to the sun reduces the production of vitamin D and cause vitamin D deficiency, which can in turn boost the risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma and many other deadly cancers.

According to the report authored by Stephen J Merrilla and colleagues, incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma steadily increased in the past several decades in fair-skinned, indoor-working people worldwide while the risk was much lower in those working outdoors even though they have much greater exposure to the UV rays.  Because high UV exposure is linked to high vitamin D concentrations, it is possible that low vitamin D or vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for malignant melanoma.  Other scientists also reported the incidence of melanoma is on the rise.

The report also considers the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as another major risk factor for malignant melanoma.  The risk from HPV may have something to do with vitamin D.  That is, the damage from HPV can be greater in people who have lower circulating vitamin D concentrations or vitamin D deficiency because vitamin D plays an essential role in innate immunity against bacterial and viral infections.  That is, people who have suffered HPV infections and have low vitamin D are particularly higher risk of melanoma.

It should be noted that in order to prevent melanoma, sunburns should be avoided while adequate sun exposure and high levels of serum vitamin D are desired.

In addition to melanoma, vitamin D protects against several solid cancers including cancers in the stomach, colorectal, liver and gallbladder, pancreas, lung, female breast, prostate, bladder and kidney. (David Liu)

Stephen J Merrilla, Samira Ashrafib, Madhan Subramanianc & Dianne E Godard,  Exponentially increasing incidences of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Europe correlate with low personal annual UV doses and suggests 2 major risk factors, Dermato-Endocrinology, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2015