Painkillers linked to reduced skin cancer risk

New research suggests that regularly taking common painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen could help to reduce the risk of developing a form of skin cancer.

An Australian analysis into nine past studies found that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were effective in decreasing the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 18%. This kind of cancer is the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK, with the major risk coming from sun exposure and excessive use of tanning beds.

NSAIDs include over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as prescription medication that Medical Specialists® Pharmacy provide for suitable patients – celecoxib, diclofenac and naproxen.

Previous studies into the drugs have uncovered evidence to show they can be useful in also decreasing the risk of developing other cancers, such as colon cancer.

Health experts have previously suggest that NSAIDs could be beneficial in helping to boost protection against skin cancer, but definitive evidence for the theory has been scarce.
Therefore, researchers involved in the new analysis of nine previous studies assessed usage of NSAIDs against the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

Reporting their findings in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the researchers explained that taking any NSAID was associated with an 18% lesser risk of developing the cancer, and taking NSAIDs other than aspirin could lead to a 15% decreased risk.

These painkillers “have potential as part of a skin cancer-prevention strategy,” said review co-author Catherine Olsen, a senior research officer with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

However, there is still an uncertainty regarding NSAIDs and skin cancer. For example, different people have varying degrees of sun exposure, will be taking different doses of their particular drug, resulting in accuracy of findings being debatable.

Some are of the belief that NSAIDs such as diclofenac could help to prevent skin cancer due to the fact they inhibit an enzyme named COX-2, linked to tumour development. A higher reduced risk was found with people taking NSAIDs that had either pre-cancerous growths or a history of skin cancer, which means the drugs could be considered as a preventative option for certain people in the future.
Olsen and others aren’t quite ready to advise people to start popping NSAIDs though just yet to avert the onset of skin cancer, citing that the drugs have been linked to some risks of their own.

“Don’t rely on aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to protect your skin,” commented Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, who wasn’t involved in the study.

“The best treatment is primary prevention,” he said, advising people to use sunscreen, sun-protective clothing and taking advantage of shade.

Flexiseq Gel a revolutionary option for arthritis sufferers

A ground-breaking treatment could provide relief for the estimated nine million osteoarthritis sufferers in the UK – and it might be particular of interest to those who don’t like to take tablets or struggle to swallow them.

Available right now from Medical Specialists™ Pharmacy for just £17.99 without the need for a prescription, the water-based Flexiseq Gel has astounded researchers who have studied its massive impact to painful joints and the fact it is actually drug-free is even more staggering, showing no side effects from common painkillers.

Used twice a day, the gel has been clinically proven to reduce pain and restore mobility in the afflicted joint(s). Daily application in the morning and evening should suffice to result in significant improvement in joint pain in merely two days. It could now be the choice of long term targeted pain relief and boosted joint function for millions of arthritis sufferers.

Last year researchers conducted six clinical studies with more than 4,000 patients, finding that Flexiseq both reduces pain and improves the mobility of osteoarthritis sufferers.

One particular study of 1,300 patients determined that the gel works as a natural lubricant for affected joints and is as beneficial as commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Diclofenac and Naproxen.

The findings were published in a December 2013 edition of Rheumatology – the British Society of Rheumatology’s official journal.

Dr John Dickson, a co-founder of the Primary Care Rheumatology Society, was involved with the study.

Dr Dickson spoke of prowess of Flexiseq, commenting: “It is well recognised that effectively managing chronic pain, particularly in patients with other conditions and risk factors, is a massive challenge that GPs and patients face on a daily basis. This topical treatment is drug-free and seems to have an excellent safety profile.”

Curious how the gel works? It is comprised of millions of droplets of fat, called ‘phospholipids’, which pass through skin and tissue, travelling to the site of the pain within the joint.

These droplets of fat then cover the cartilage with a coating of protective lubricant, replacing the damaged naturally occurring phospholipids that arthritis has caused.

Professor Philip Conaghan, from the University of Leeds, who led the research, said: “The need for new treatment options is well recognised as existing treatments don’t always work and many can cause serious side effects. Many [osteoarthritis] patients are elderly and have additional health conditions that mean they are especially at risk of these side effects. Safety is therefore a key concern for new therapies and patients and healthcare professionals would welcome new treatment options which are effective and without such safety concerns.”

What is Gout? Read why the excrutiating condition is no laughing matter…

Previously viewed a bit too light-hearted, almost as a bit of a joke, gout is anything but a laughing matter. It is actually the most prevailing type of inflammatory arthritis but in years gone by gout was typically looked upon as something that only over-indulgers picked up; those who had been hitting the wine and red meat a little too hard.

With the quality of medical care vastly improved over the past few decades, life expectancy is higher than ever and more people are now experiencing this painful, debilitating condition – simply put it is nothing to be mocked about and is a serious problem that requires the appropriate treatment, such as through Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which work to reduce the level of pain and inflammation. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen.

Gout causes pain and swelling to one of more joints. Although it usually strikes in the big toe, gout can attack other joints such as those in the elbows, knees, feet and ankles and those in your hands, fingers and wrists.

Symptoms of gout commonly occur at night, but can arise at any point during the day. Other symptoms include: swelling (inflammation) in and surrounding the affected joint, red, shiny skin over the affected joint and peeling, itchy and flaky skin over the affected joint as the swelling decreases.

Gout is caused by a build-up of a chemical in the blood called uric acid (urate), which is a waste product that is transmitted through the kidneys and into your urine so it can be removed from the body. The level of uric acid in your blood can increase if your kidneys are not passing uric acid fast enough or if your body produces too much uric acid.

High levels of uric acid result in the formation of tiny crystals in your tissues, commonly in and around the joints. These crystals could leak from the joint cartilage into the joint space, causing the soft lining (synovium) to react. It is this which produces the intense swelling and pain you experience. As crystals thrive at a cooler body temperature, this is why gout is more prominent in the fingers and toes.

Risk factors for the development of gout include medical problems that induce a rise in uric acid levels, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, having high lipid levels (high cholesterol) and long-term deterioration in kidney function. Other risk factors include lifestyle ones, such as diet. For example, eating too much red meat or seafood and drinking too much alcohol (especially beer) can put you at risk, whereas having psoriasis can occasionally cause your body to make too much uric acid.

Self-care techniques when a gout attack strikes are primarily aimed at preventing further attacks and relieving symptoms. When you experience an attack, it is important to rest and elevate (raise) your limb and try to avoid hitting or damaging the afflicted joint.

You should also keep the joint as cool as possible, remove any clothing actually on the joint and apply an ice pack to the area. Ice wrapped inside a towel, or even a frozen bag of peas should do the trick!

Keep the ice pack or bag of peas on the joint for about 20 minutes. The ice should not be applied directly on the skin and this procedure should not be carried out for over 20 minutes at a time due to risk of skin damage.