Do You Need A Daily Aspirin? Working with nearly 20-years worth of data, Danish and American researchers looked at the pill-popping habits of roughly 200,000 people—about 10% of whom had developedskin cancer. Those who frequently took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen lowered their risk for squamous cell carcinoma by 13% and reduced their malignant melanoma risk by 15%. Regular NSAID use also lowered a person’s risk for a third type of cancer—basal cell carcinoma—although this effect was less clear, according to the study. These three types of skin cancer are among the most commonly diagnosed, and all can be life-threatening. How can your common pain-relief pill fight skin cancer? NSAIDs work by counteracting specific blood enzymes involved in inflammation, explains study author Sigrún Alba Jóhannesdóttir, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. “Those same enzymes are involved in important steps of cancer development such as inhibition of cell death and suppression of the immune system,” Jóhannesdóttir says. 20 Ways To Prevent Cancer Although it isn’t clear exactly how often you have to swallow anaspirin or similar NSAID to reap the skin-cancer fighting benefit, Jóhannesdóttir says those who had been taking NSAIDs regularly—approximately several times a week—for at least seven years experienced the most benefit. So should you start popping a daily aspirin? Definitely not, Jóhannesdóttir says—at least not until you’ve cleared it with your doctor. Regular NSAID use can cause major gastrointestinal problems including ulcers, internal bleeding, and even death. Bottom line: Your best line of defense when it comes to preventing skin cancer are still your old standbys—using lots of sunscreen, avoiding direct midday sun, and wearing sun-protective clothing.
Also see: The Best Sunscreen Tips, The Best Time Of Day To Take Aspirin, Walk Away Inflammation
