Exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the risk of hematologic malignancy and other site-specific cancer development

Sunlight exposure is common and can have both beneficial and harmful effects on health. While ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known to increase the risk of skin cancer, its relationship with other cancers is more complex and not fully understood. This project used data from more than 245,000 participants across multiple Canadian cohorts, including CARTaGENE, to examine how different patterns of sun exposure—such as time spent outdoors, sunburns, and ambient UV levels—are associated with the risk of developing blood cancers and other non-skin cancers. The analyses considered both individual behaviors and environmental exposure, as well as their combined effects, to better capture real-world exposure patterns. Overall, the findings suggest that the relationship between UV exposure and cancer risk is not straightforward, with some results showing no clear association for certain cancers and others indicating that both protective and harmful effects may coexist depending on the level and type of exposure. These results contribute to a better understanding of how sun exposure influences health and may help guide future prevention strategies.

• Cancer
• Environment and lifestyle

• Linked data
• Questionnaire data