Just one tablet of aspirin a day may protect against skin cancer

Just one tablet of aspirin a day may protect against skin cancer - some experts believe.

People who take aspirin in tablets or similar painkillers on a regular basis to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, including the most dangerous form of the disease, malignant melanoma, by about 15% - say Danish scientists. Their results were published in the journal Cancer.

The study, which lasted eight years, was attended by about 200,000 Danes. Approximately 18,000 were diagnosed with one of three types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma. Studying the lifestyle and medical history of study participants, Danish scientists have calculated how many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs ) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, took these people and what additional effect exerted medication. Not all participants were taking aspirin or other medicine as preventive maintenance, some of it has been registered as a maintenance therapy in connection with heart disease or arthritis. It turned out that those who took NSAIDs more often and in higher doses, reduced the risk of developing squamous cell cancer by 15 % and the risk of malignant melanoma by 13%. Reduce the risk of basal cell carcinoma - the most common and least aggressive type of skin cancer - was not observed.

Researchers from the University Hospital in Denmark believe that more research is needed to confirm and further explain their findings. Studies conducted with animals presumably have shown that NSAIDs can block the growth of early precancerous lesions, but whether this is true for humans remains unclear. There is also a view that these drugs can protect against many other types of cancer, including bowel cancer.

Subject aspirin as a kind of panacea from many serious diseases arises not the first time. Numerous studies have shown that aspirin is effective in diseases of the heart, and carried out research supporting the reduction of risks of developing certain types of cancer. However, some experts refer to this as a preliminary, the findings with caution. They remind us that if we talk about skin cancer, the sun is still the main enemy of man, as the harmful effects of its rays - the main cause of this disease. Even if NSAID therapy can offer this type of cancer, people should be protected from UVA- and UVB- rays and take care to avoid sunburn.

Hazel Nunn, the UK's leading specialist in the field of cancer research warns: "Sunburn - a clear sign that your skin has been damaged, this damage can accumulate over time and lead to skin cancer in the future. Being in the sun, protect the body clothes bright colors and use sunscreen."

Necessary clarification. Aspirin can have serious side effects. Therefore it is very important to talk with your doctor about the risks if you decide to take it regularly.