People who take aspirin tablets or similar painkillers on a regular
basis cut their risk of developing skin cancer - including the most
deadly type - malignant melanoma - by about 15%,research suggests.
The work in the journal Cancer involved nearly 200,000 people in Denmark.
But experts say using sunscreen and avoiding toomuch sun are still the
best ways to prevent skin cancer.
Anti-cancer pill?
In the study, approximately 18,000 of the 200,000 participants had
been diagnosed with of one of three types of skin cancer - basal cell
carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or the rarer but more dangerous
malignantmelanoma.
There is mounting evidence that aspirin does reduce the risk of some
cancers, but it's toosoon to say if this includes skin cancer"
Hazel Nunn
Head of health informationat Cancer Research UK
The researchers looked at the medical records of the individuals to
calculate how many had been prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen over an
eight-year period.
Many were taking them forheart conditions or arthritis.
Those who were more frequently prescribed NSAIDs were less likely to
have skin cancer.
The higher the dose and the longer a person had been on the
medication, the greater the protective effect.
Individuals with more thantwo prescriptions for NSAIDs had a 15%
decreased risk for developing squamous cell carcinoma and a 13% lower
risk of malignant melanoma.
NSAIDs did not appear to lower the overall risk of basal cell
carcinoma - the most common and least aggressive type of skin cancer.
But they did cut therisk of basal cell carcinomasdeveloping on certain
partsof the body other than the head and neck.
Limitations
Aspirin
Also known as acetylsalicylic acid
Used for many years as a painkiller
Has an anti-inflammatory action
Low-dose (75mg) is already recommended for people with known
cardiovascular disease to prevent stroke and heart attack
Benefits for healthy people are still unclear
Can cause fatal internal bleeding, although this is relatively rare
The researchers from the University Hospital in Denmark say more
research is needed to confirm and further explaintheir findings.
Studies in animals suggest NSAIDs may block the growth of early
pre-cancerous skin lesions, but it is not yet clear if this is also
the case in humans.
Scientists already suspect that these drugs may protect against many
othercancers, including bowel cancer.
The researchers point out that although they found alink with
prescriptions theywere not able to monitor precisely how much of the
drug a person actually took. Also, people can buy drugs like aspirin
from a pharmacy without a prescription.
And they did not look at sun exposure - the root cause of skin cancer.
Experts say even if NSAIDs do offer some protection against skin
cancer, people still need to be sensible in the sun.
Hazel Nunn of Cancer Research UK said: "By far and away the best way
to reduce the risk of skin cancer is to enjoy the sun safely, and take
care to avoid sunburn.
"Sunburn's a clear sign thatyour skin's been damaged, and this damage
can build up over time and lead to skin cancer in the future. When the
sun's strong, use a combination of shade, clothes and at least SPF 15
sunscreen to protect your skin.
"There is mounting evidence that aspirin does reduce the risk of some
cancers, but it's too soon tosay if this includes skin cancer. Aspirin
can have serious side effects - so it's important to talk to a doctor
about the risks and benefits if you're thinking of taking it
regularly."
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