Frank C. Garland

Frank Caldwell Garland (June 20, 1950 – August 17, 2010) was an American epidemiologist whose research led to the conclusion that vitamin D deficiency can be a factor increasing risk for breast cancer and colon cancer.

Biography Garland was born on June 20, 1950, in San Diego and earned a bachelor's degree in 1972 from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he majored in history.

Garland recalled, "When my brother, Cedric, and I looked at one of the first maps produced by the National Cancer Institute of colon cancer incidence rates in the United States, we both immediately noticed a pattern, a distinct North-South gradient in incidence. This pattern changed our professional research careers. Our entire academic lives are based on that single moment." While recognizing the risk of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer from excessive exposure to the Sun, the Garlands proposed that limited sun exposure would provide enough vitamin D to help prevent colon cancer, which could also be achieved by taking nutritional supplements.

Education and early career Garland was awarded a doctorate in 1981 from Johns Hopkins University and pursued a career as an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Diego, where he was hired in 1986 as professor of family and preventive medicine.

Published work

His later research connected deficiencies in vitamin D in residents of Northern cities with chronic disease outcomes including type 1 diabetes and higher incidence rates of breast cancer and other cancers.

Personal life A resident of San Diego, Garland died at age 60 on August 17, 2010, at Thornton Hospital in La Jolla, San Diego, California, due to cancer of the esophageal junction.