A new study by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, has tied latitude differences to ovarian cancer risk. The study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that exposure to the sun, and more precisely, vitamin D production in the body, may help prevent this disease.

The recent research furthers the evidence for the previous studies which have linked vitamin D intake and vitamin D levels in the blood to cancer risk.

The link between the exposure to sun and Vitamin D is explained by the fact that sunlight triggers vitamin D synthesis in the skin.

To investigate the possible role of sun exposure in ovarian cancer, Dr. Cedric F. Garland and his colleagues examined data on ovarian cancer rates in 175 countries and correlated it with information on latitude, UV radiation and atmospheric levels of ozone.

They found that ovarian cancer rates were highest in higher-latitude regions, where annual sun exposure is limited. In addition, greater UV exposure and lower ozone levels were both linked to lower ovarian cancer rates.

Researchers noted that many other factors may be responsible for the discrepancy, ranging from genes to lifestyle habits to reproductive choices.

Also they stress that the study by no means recommends women to bask in the sun to prevent ovarian cancer.

"We don't want anyone to burn," Garland told Reuters, adding that modest sun exposure and use of vitamin D supplements could, however, offer a cancer defense.