title: Cancer protection related to solar ultraviolet radiation, altitude and vitamin D.
abstract: A whole host of epidemiological studies have reported lower cancer rates and mortality in high-altitude regions. These studies are reviewed and discussed in detail. Evidence for the salutary role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer and other maladies will also be reviewed and discussed. The dependence of vitamin D production on sunlight and its enhancement with altitude will be demonstrated. The hypothesis is advanced and developed that the lower cancer rates observed at high altitudes arise from enhanced sunlight-induced vitamin D production levels. Protective vitamin D mechanisms which support this hypothesis as well as other supportive medical evidence are also presented.
authors.affiliation: The Brooklyn Hospital Center, 121 DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States. dhayes@health.nyc.gov
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D