SUNLIGHT AND CANCER

Epidemiologic evidence on the relation between sunlight and cancer is reviewed, Strong evidence implicates sunlight as a cause of skin cance r, although, for melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, the relationship i s complex, Both types of cancer are associated more strongly with nono ccupational exposure than with occupational exposure, and the pattern and amount of exposure each appear to be important. Squamous cell carc inoma appears to be related more strongly to total (i.e., both occupat ional and nonoccupational) exposure to the sun. The evidence that sunl ight causes melanoma of the eye is weak. It shows no latitude gradient and the results of case-control studies are conflicting. There is ina dequate evidence to suggest that sunlight does or does not cause any o ther type of cancer.