Preventive Vitamin B3 Intake Reduces Skin Cancer Risk

As much as one year of preventive treatment with a form of B3 vitamin may reduce skin cancer risk according to a University of Sydney study.

A team of researchers from the University of Sydney conducted a medical study connected to the impacts of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3 on people who presented common skin cancers. The results indicated that nicotinamide is successful in preventing these common occurrences. The application of this preventive treatment with people who present non-melanoma skin cancer drastically reduces the risk of being exposed again.

Nicotinamide is found on the market as a nutritional supplement and is incredibly affordable.

The study focused specifically on non-melanoma skin cancer. The targeted cells were basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. In the United States these two forms of skin cancer have the highest rate of occurrence. In 2006, 2.2 million Americans reported 3.5 million cases of non-melanoma skin-cancer.

While these particular forms are curable via surgery, the procedure may result in more developed cancer risks.

Therefore, the new study is welcome with view to finding alternative preventive therapies, considering they also do not leave scars.

ASCO president, MD Peter Yu stated as to the results of the study:

“We all clamor for preventing rather than treating diseases and this is a major advance for us”.

The University of Sydney study was conducted on a pool of 386 people in Australia who reported two or above skin cancers occurred during the past five years. The average of occurrences was established at eight in this period. The randomized study divided patients in two groups. The patients who were taking the vitamin presented an average of 1.77 new non-melanoma skin cancers during the one year of the study. In the placebo group, the average was 2.42 cases. The overall risk reduction was calculated at 23 percent. The nicotinamide administration also yielded other results such as the reduction of ofactinic keratosis.

Diona Damian, PhD, lead investigator in the study of the University of Sydney commented:

“It is the first clear evidence that we can reduce the skin cancers using a simple vitamin, together with sensible sun protection”.

The final and more detailed results will be discussed at the annual meeting of the American Oncology Society, starting May 29^th in Chicago.

Preventively, the nicotinamide supplement should not be used by everyone, especially without a previous discussion and approval of their physician.

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