Anti-inflammatory pain relievers including ibuprofen may slightly reduce the risk of developing one common kind of skin cancer, say researchers, although some experts argue the benefit is too small and the medications carry their own risks.
A review of a number of previous studies suggests ibuprofen medications such as Motrin or Advil and naproxen drugs such as Aleve apparently reduce the risk of squamous cell skin cancer -- usually caused by excess sun exposure -- by 15 percent.
These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs "have potential as part of a skin cancer-prevention strategy," says review co-author Catherine Olsen, a researcher with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia.
However, Olsen isn't ready to recommend popping these kinds of drugs to prevent skin cancer, especially since the medications carry their own risks including blistering and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Dorothy Bennett, a professor of cell biology at St. George's, University of London, says she agrees with that caution.
"Noting that most [squamous cell carcinomas] are curable by surgery if caught early, this reduction in risk is interesting, but it is hard to say whether it is worth taking action over it," she says.
Squamous cell skin cancers aren't usually considered dangerous unless they go untreated and metastasize, says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
"They rarely metastasize, although that's been reported," says Zeichner, who was not involved in the study review.
It is believed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, as well as aspirin, may reduce the risk of skin cancer by inhibiting one enzyme known as COX-2, released by skin cells in response to exposure of high levels of sunlight or ultraviolet light, the researchers said.
Around 2.2 million Americans receive a diagnosis of skin cancer each year, with about 20 percent of those thought to be squamous cell variety and the rest basal cell skin cancer.
Still, no one is recommending popping pills to prevent skin cancer.
"Don't rely on aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to protect your skin," says Zeichner.
"The best treatment is primary prevention," he said, urging the use of sunscreen, sun-protective clothing and taking advantage of shade.
The study review has been published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
