Effect of ambient solar ultraviolet radiation on incidence of squamous-cell carcinoma of the eye.

Journal article

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. FINDINGS: 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). INTERPRETATION: Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that exposure to solar ultraviolet light is an important cause of squamous-cell carcinoma of the eye.

Authors: Newton, R; Ferlay, J; Reeves, G; Beral, V; Parkin, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Lancet
• Volume: 347
• Issue: 9013
• Pages: 1450-1451
• Publication date: 1996-05-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(96)91685-2
• EISSN: 1474-547X
• ISSN: 0140-6736
• Language: English
• Keywords: Humans; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Ultraviolet Rays; Age Factors; Environmental Exposure; Sex Factors; Risk Factors; Male; Conjunctival Neoplasms; Female; Incidence