Common Painkillers Could Prevent Skin Cancer

6-3-2012

Common Painkillers Could Prevent Skin Cancer

(RTTNews) - People who take aspirin, ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on a daily basis may be less susceptible to getting skin cancer, a study published in the British journal The Lancet on Tuesday, May 29 detailed.

Researchers analyzed data from over 50 studies and discovered those who took daily aspirin for at least three years were less likely to develop skin cancer, and, when they did, it tended to be less advanced.

The longer the individual used aspirin, and the higher the dose taken, helped lower the incidence of the cancer.

"We hope that the potential cancer-protective effect of NSAIDs will inspire more research on skin cancer prevention. Also, this potential cancer-protective effect should be taken into account when discussing benefits and harms of NSAID use," said researcher Sigrún Alba Jóhannesdóttir in a press release.

Negative effects of aspirin usage include an increased risk of bleeding, including bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Doctors added the best ways of preventing of skin cancer are using sun block and avoiding the sun.

by RTT Staff Writer