Aspirin could prevent skin cancer

An aspirin a day could protect you from skin cancer according to experts

Taking aspirin or other painkillers such as Ibuprofen could cut your chances of developing skin cancer by 15 per cent according to new research.

Although wearing a high factor suncream and avoiding long periods in direct sun is the most effective form of protection, the study of 200,000 people found those who regularly take anti-inflammatory painkillers were less likely to develop the disease.

The higher the dose and the longer the person had been taking the medication, the greater the protective effect say the researchers from University Hospital in Denmark.

Individuals with more than two prescriptions for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had a 15 per cent lower risk or developing squamous cell carcinoma and a 13 per cent decreased risk of the more dangerous malignant melanoma.

'There is mounting evidence that aspirin does reduce the risk of some cancers,' says Hazel Nunn of Cancer Research UK.

But she warns aspirin can have serious side effects so it is important to speak to your doctor if you are considering taking the drug on a regular basis.

'By far the best way to avoid skin cancer is to enjoy the sun safely and take care to avoid sunburn,' says Nunn.

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