Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 09, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Here's a change from past warnings: getting some sun could be good for you.

A recent study has shown a lower incidence of cancer in women taking vitamin D supplements.

Vitamin D is synthesized naturally by the human body when skin is exposed to sunlight.

As reported in the Globe and Mail, a four-year clinical trial that involved 1,200 women saw 60 per cent cancer reduction in women taking vitamin D, as opposed to the women who didn't take the vitamins.

But vitamin D is not a miracle cure, said Dr. Andre Corriveau, the Northwest Territories chief medical officer.

"Most cancers are combinations of different risk factors," he said.

These include diet and family history.

But he added that vitamin D can be a factor in prevention.

"Vitamin D is a big concern up North," he said.

While places in the Northwest Territories can see almost 24-hours straight of sunlight in summer, in the winter people get very little skin exposure to the sun.

"People don't supplement that lack of vitamin D," Corriveau said.

This could be something as simple as taking the vitamins in pill form, or eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as milk, fish and organ meats like liver.

"That would be the way to compensate," Corriveau said.

Vitamin D is also vital for building strong teeth and bones.

He said lack of vitamin D could account for the recent rise in certain cancers.

"We have seen a big increase in colorectal cancer in the North," he said.

The study recommended people get on average 15-20 minutes exposure to sunlight daily without sunscreen.

"You can probably wait 15 minutes when outside before applying sun block," said Corriveau.

Corriveau added that people with fair skin should remember sun screen as they are more at risk for skin cancer.

"Too much sun can be too much of good thing; it can be bad," he said.