Aspirin and similar drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, reveals recent findings from Australia's Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
Results of the study show that a weekly dose of 200 mg or more was linked with substantial protection against squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous growths called actinic keratoses (AKs), solar keratoses, or sunspots.
"We found that people who regularly used aspirin and other NSAIDs had significantly lower risks of developing skin cancer than people who did not use them," Dr. David C. Whiteman said.
"Moreover, we found that among people who had never had skin cancer, those who regularly used aspirin had significantly lower numbers of sunspots."
Dr. Whiteman explains that aspirin blocks a specific enzyme known as cyclo-oxygenase (COX) that plays an important role in the development of some types of skin cancer. The study supports a possible chemopreventive action of NSAIDs against skin cancer and, if confirmed by other studies, may lead to novel approaches to assist in controlling these common lesions.
The research findings, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, provide a timely reminder that skin cancer can be prevented.
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