Solar ultraviolet B radiation (UV) may reduce the risk of a number of chronic diseases, including prostate cancer.

The effect of occupational UV exposure on prostate cancer risk was explored by using registry-based employment

The study indicates that UV is associated with a modest decreased risk of prostate cancer.

Spending short daily periods of time in the sun may by recommended for indoor male workers.

Former epidemiological studies have indicated that solar ultraviolet B radiation (UV) may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, however, the evidence is inconclusive. To contribute with evidence, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between occupational UV exposure and prostate cancer in Danish men.

A total of 12,268 men diagnosed with primary prostate cancer before age 70 were identified via the Danish Cancer Registry. The Danish Civil Registration System was used to randomly select five male controls matched on year of birth, alive and free of prostate cancer at the time of diagnosis of the index case. Full individual-level employment history was retrieved from the Danish Supplementary Pension Fund Register and linked to a job exposure matrix to assess occupational UV exposure. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals.

We observed an inverse association between ever exposure to occupational UV and prostate cancer (OR=0.93, 95 % CI: 0.89–0.97). Longer duration of exposure (≥20 years: OR=0.90, 95 % CI: 0.84–0.96) and highest cumulative exposure (OR=0.90, 95 % CI: 0.84–0.96) were both inversely associated with disease risk.

The present study indicates a modest protective effect from occupational UV exposure on the risk of prostate cancer. This finding needs further attention in future large-scale studies.

Solar

Sun exposure

Prostate cancer

Environment

Men

Epidemiology

© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.