Despite the fact that medical scientists believed in the past that the progression of lymphoma was accelerated and the intensity of its generated symptoms amplified by exposure to sunlight, recently performed research suggests the opposite. Clearly contradicting the existing theories on the implication of sunlight in aggravating lymphoma cases, the recent findings haven't been well received by most oncologists and medical scientists worldwide. However, if the new discoveries upon this matter are entirely accurate and conclusive, the treatment of lymphoma may soon be revolutionized.



Hoping to reveal new aspects of this type of disease, a team of medical researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University have recently conducted a study on lymphoma in Sweden and Denmark. In an attempt to determine whether the frequent exposure to ultraviolet light produced by the sun or artificial light sources (sun lamps) has a benefic or malignant effect on patients with lymphoma, the team of researchers has decided to conduct a study based on telephone interviews.

The researchers have interviewed around 3000 patients in Sweden and Denmark who have been diagnosed with malignant lymphoma during the 1999 ? 2002 time period. The patients interviewed during the study suffered either from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Hodgkin's Disease and were asked to briefly describe their personal experience with this type of malignant disorder. Apart from lymphoma patients, the study also involved the participation of more than 3000 randomly chosen persons who didn't suffer from lymphoma. According to the findings, frequent exposure to sunlight can actually reduce the chances of developing cancerous tumors of the lymphatic system such as lymphoma. The study has also revealed the fact that sunlight doesn't aggravate existing lymphomas, but actually help ease some of the symptoms caused by this type of disease.

Despite the fact that prolonged exposure to sunlight is a known cause of skin cancer, the conducted research suggests the exact opposite in the case of lymphoma sufferers. Infirming a series of existing theories stating that exposure to sunlight is a serious factor for lymphoma and a potential amplifier of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in particular, the team of researchers that has conducted the recent study has concluded that sunlight actually reduces one's chances of developing lymphoma by up to 40 percent. Judging by the findings of the study, sunbathing and regular exposure to sun lamps is an efficient method of preventing the occurrence of lymphoma and to delay its progression. With the aid of additional data and a more extensive research upon the matter, doctors may one day recommend sunbathing as a primary form of preventing and maybe even ameliorate lymphoma.