A good dose of sunshine could prevent cancer, study suggests

 A dose of sunshine could prevent the risk of cancer by a fifth, research suggests.

A study of 34,000 adults found those with high levels of vitamin D had a 20 per cent lower chance of cancer.

Although the vitamin is found in some foods, including oily fish, eggs and fortified cereals, as well as in supplements, the main source is sunshine.

It is known to protect against bone and muscle disease, and has been associated with lower risk of some chronic illnesses. However, too much time in the sun is linked to a higher risk of skin cancer, with NHS advice to limit exposure between 11am and 3pm.

The research, published in BMJ, tracked 34,000 men and women for an average of 16 years, dividing them into four groups, depending on their vitamin D levels.

Overall, those in the top group were a fifth less likely to get any form of cancer, compared with those in the bottom group. However, cancer charities urged caution over the findings.