Associations between timing of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, T-stage and survival in prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been inversely associated with prostate cancer risk. We determined if skin type and UVR exposure are linked with parameters of prostate cancer outcome.


METHODS
We used a questionnaire to determine UVR exposure parameters and skin type in 553 men with prostate cancer and, using logistic regression and survival analysis, studied their association with T-stage, Gleason score, and survival after starting hormone manipulation therapy.


RESULTS
UVR exposures 10, 20, and 30 years before diagnosis were inversely associated with T-stage. The odds ratio (OR) for UVR exposure 10 years before diagnosis was lowest (OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.56-0.86). ORs were lower in men with skin types I/II than III/IV. Skin types I/II were associated with longer survival after commencing hormone therapy (hazard ratio=0.62, 95% CI=0.40-0.95).


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding that UVR exposure is beneficial is compatible with accumulating data showing sunlight has a protective effect on disease phenotype.
Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University School of Medicine, University Hospital of North Staffordshire Campus, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, United Kingdom.
Nick
N
Rukin
Miliça
M
Blagojevic
Christopher J
CJ
Luscombe
Samson
S
Liu
Mark F
MF
Saxby
Sudarshan
S
Ramachandran
Anthony A
AA
Fryer
Peter W
PW
Jones
Richard C
RC
Strange
D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000726:Androgen Antagonists