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655510 
Journal Article 
Abstract 
Does deficiency of solar ultraviolet B or vitamin D play a background role in risk of endometrial cancer? 
Garland, CF; Mohr, SB; Gorham, ED; Grant, WB; Garland, FC 
2006 
Yes 
American Journal of Epidemiology
ISSN: 0002-9262
EISSN: 1476-6256 
163 
11 
S91 
is part of a larger document 3123131 Abstracts 2006 Congress of Epidemiology. a joint meeting of the American College of Epidemiology, American Public Health Association (Epidemiology Section), Society for Epidemiologic Research, Seattle, Washington, June 21-24, 2006
The role of exogenous estrogens in the etiology of endometrial cancer is well established, as is a role of endogenous estrogens. However, other factors might also be involved. Populations at higher latitudes tend to have higher incidence and mortality rates of cancers of the breast (1) and ovary (2), suggesting that vitamin D deficiency might contribute to other female reproductive system malignancies, such as endometrial cancer (3). Ageadjusted incidence rates from 175 countries were analyzed using multiple regression according to solar ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance and factors related to it. Incidence data were obtained from the International Agency for Research on Cancer GLOBOCAN database for 2002, and climatological and geophysical data from NASA satellite databases. Dietary associations were studied using Food and Agriculture Organization data. UVB irradiance was inversely correlated with incidence rates (p < 0.04) while cloud cover (p < 0.0001) and sulfate air pollution (p < 0.05) were positively associated (R2 for model ¼ 0.60, p < 0.0001). Intake of energy from animal sources was independently positively associated (p < 0.01). Higher incidence rates of endometrial cancer in countries with lower UVB irradiance suggests that vitamin D deficiency might contribute modestly to risk beyond known risk factors, but further studies of individuals are needed to determine whether this association might be causal. 
2nd North American Congress of Epidemiology 
Seattle, WA 
06/21-24/2006