Aspirin found to reduce skin cancer risk
Published: November 9, 2005
Epidemiologists have found that aspirin may assist in reducing the risk of developing skin cancer, reveals a recent scientific publication, following research undertaken at the Suncorp Skin Cancer Laboratories at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR).
Results of the study provide evidence to show that regular ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin may offer protection against squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratoses (sunspots).
QIMR’s Dr David Whiteman says that aspirin blocks a specific enzyme known as cyclo-oxygenase (COX) which is important for some types of skin cancer development.
“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 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.”
Regular consumption of doses of 200mg or more of NSAIDs was associated with substantially lower incidence of SCC and sunspots.
The study supports a possible chemo-preventative action of NSAIDs against skin cancer and if confirmed by other studies, may lead to novel approaches to assist in controlling this common type of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia and the most expensive to treat, with one Australian being diagnosed for skin cancer every 90 seconds and more than $200 million spent annually on treatments.
The research findings provide a timely reminder that skin cancer can be prevented, with Suncorp and QIMR launching a joint skin cancer awareness campaign throughout Queensland next week, the start of national Skin Cancer Awareness Week.
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