For many years, efforts to prevent skin cancer have focused on sun protection and monitoring after repeated episodes of the disease.
A new study now raises the question of whether preventive measures should begin earlier, and whether a well-known dietary supplement could play a role in this context.
Early intervention may be crucial
According to a study published in JAMA Dermatology, the timing of nicotinamide use appears to be significant.
Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can be purchased without a prescription.
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Powers Health has reported on the study, which shows that individuals who begin taking the supplement early experience fewer new cases of skin cancer.
The researchers found that the effect was greatest among patients who started taking nicotinamide shortly after their first diagnosis.
When the supplement was introduced later in the course of the disease, the protective effect was less evident.
Large data sets behind the findings
The study is based on health data from more than 33,800 U.S. veterans with non-melanoma skin cancer.
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According to Powers Health, the researchers compared nearly 12,300 individuals who took nicotinamide with more than 21,000 who did not.
Adjustments were made for age, sex, and serious medical conditions that may influence the risk of skin cancer.
Overall, there were fewer new cases of skin cancer among those who took the vitamin, particularly when it was taken shortly after the first diagnosis.
No clear guidelines
The study also shows that the effect was strongest for the more aggressive forms of non-melanoma skin cancer.
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Among particularly vulnerable groups, such as organ transplant recipients, the results were more uncertain.
Study leader Dr. Lee Wheless of Vanderbilt University Medical Center told EurekAlert that there are still no clear guidelines on who should use nicotinamide preventively.
At the same time, he pointed out that not all patients experience recurrent cases of skin cancer.
Sources: Powers Health, JAMA Dermatology, and Eurekalert.
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