G. Bentham, ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INCIDENCE OF NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA AND SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET-RADIATION IN ENGLAND AND WALES, BMJ. British medical journal, 312(7039), 1996, pp. 1128-1131
Objectives-To examine whether the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
in different areas of England and Wales is associated with levels of s
olar ultraviolet radiation. Design-Geographically based study examinin
g the association between incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and esti
mated levels of solar ultraviolet radiation, controlling for social cl
ass and employment in agriculture. Setting-59 counties in England and
Wales. Subjects-All registered cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during
the period 1968-85. Main outcome measure-Age and sex adjusted odds rat
io for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in each county. Results-Incidence of non
-Hodgkin's lymphoma was significantly associated with solar ultraviole
t radiation levels (P<0.001), even after social class and employment i
n agriculture were controlled for (P=0.004). In a comparison of counti
es in the highest and lowest quarters of solar ultraviolet radiation,
the relative risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was 1.27 (95% confidence i
nterval 1.24 to 1.29), rising to 1.34 (1.32 to 1.37) after adjustment
for social class and employment in agriculture. Conclusions-The incide
nce of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in different areas of England and Wales
is positively associated with levels of solar ultraviolet radiation. T
hese results are consistent with the hypothesis that exposure to solar
ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.