Effect of ambient solar ultraviolet radiation on incidence of squamous-cell carcinoma of the eye.
BACKGROUND
We have investigated the geographic distribution of squamous-cell carcinoma of the eye to assess whether solar ultraviolet light is a risk factor for this disease.


METHODS
We used routinely collected population-based cancer incidence data and published measurements of ambient solar ultraviolet light in our analysis.


RESULTS
The incidence of squamous-cell carcinoma of the eye declined by 49% of each 10 degrees increase in latitude (p < 0.0001), falling from more than 12 cases per million per year in Uganda (latitude 0.3(0)) to less than O.2 per million per year in the UK (latitude > 50(0)). Solar ultraviolet radiation decreases with increasing latitude, and the incidence of squamous-cell carcinoma of the eye decreased by 29% per unit reduction in ultraviolet exposure (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that exposure to solar ultraviolet light is an important cause of squamous-cell carcinoma of the eye.
Newton
R
R
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford.
Ferlay
J
J
Reeves
G
G
Beral
V
V
Parkin
D M
DM
D000367:Age Factors; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*