UV exposure may help the body fight the development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), according research published in the Dec. 10 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

A team at the University of Sydney, led by Dr. Anne Kricker, studied adults ages 20-74 who lived in New South Whales and Australian Capital Territory; 704 individuals were diagnosed with NHL, and 694 were used as controls.

Via questionnaires and telephone interviews, the subjects were asked how many hours they spent outdoors on working and nonworking days as well as vacations at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years of age.

The results were contrary to what researchers expected to find. As sun exposure increased, the risk of NHL decreased.

“Increasing evidence that vitamin D may protect against cancer makes UV-mediated synthesis of vitamin D a plausible mechanism whereby sun exposure might protect against NHL,” the researchers write.

Source: International Journal of Cancer via Reuters Health.