Getting too much sun can lead to skin cancer, FoxNews reminded. But getting too little sun also can be risky, especially in regions with limited sunshine, a study suggests.

Women who avoided the sun were twice as likely to die from any cause, including skin cancer, as those who had the greatest sun exposure, according to a report in the July issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine. Exposure to sunlight is the main source of vitamin D. Deficiencies in the vitamin have been linked to cardiovascular deaths and more aggressive skin cancers, the researchers said.

From 1990 to 1992, sun exposure was assessed in close to 30,000 Swedish women ages 25 to 64. Subjects reported on questionnaires how often they sunbathed, their use of tanning beds, and if they traveled to other regions to swim and sunbathe. Sun exposure was scored from 0 (avoiding sun) to 4 (highest exposure). Other factors, such as a history of malignant melanoma and red hair, a risk factor for melanoma, were recorded.

Women who got the most sun had the greatest risk of developing skin cancer. But compared with that group, the risk of dying from all causes was twice as great among the sun avoiders and 40% higher in those with moderate sun exposure.

The study only included women with light skin. Information on blood levels of vitamin D or the use of vitamin D supplements wasn't collected. Sun exposure was self-reported.