Viagra, Used For Erectile Dysfunction, May Be Linked To Cancer Risk, Say Scientists

Juanmonino via Getty Images

Viagra - the drug to help with erectile dysfunction - has been linked with one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, according to the initial findings of a new study.

With use of the little blue pill on the increase - it is taken not just by older men but increasingly by younger men - the findings are of concern.

Researchers from a number of top medical universities looked at data from a 2000 Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study on nearly 26,000 men, 6 percent of whom had taken sildenafil, more commonly known as Viagra.

SEE ALSO:
Ten Things You Need To Know Before You Ignore an Unreliable Erection
Which Country Has The Best Male Lovers?

The group that had a history of Viagra use had roughly double the risk of developing melanoma than those who hadn’t ever taken the drug, while those who were currently taking the drug had an 84% higher risk of developing melanoma, said the preliminary study, released Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

While researchers said it’s still too early to alter prescriptions of the blue pill, they urged increased investigation into its link to melanoma.

WHAT IS MELANOMA?
Melanoma is a rare and serious type of cancer that begins in the skin and can spread to other organs in the body.
The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This can happen anywhere on the body, but most often the back, legs, arms and face are affected.
In most cases, melanomas have an irregular shape and more than one colour. They may also be larger than normal moles and can sometimes be itchy or bleed.
Source: NHS.UK

Story continues below the slideshow:

Best Foods For Erectile Dysfunction

Nitrates in Leafy Greens and Beets(01 of06)

Leafy green vegetables, like celery and spinach, may increase circulation because of their high concentration of nitrates. Beet juice has been found to be really high in nitrates. Nitrates are vasodilators, which means they open up blood vessels and increase blood flow. Many years before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first ED drug in 1998, several case reports on the beneficial effects of nitrates for erectile dysfunction had already been published. The ED drugs used today are based on the relaxing effects of nitrates on the blood vessels that supply the penis. (credit:Shutterstock)

Flavinoids in Dark Chocolate(02 of06)

A recent study in the journal Circulation found that flavonoids in dark chocolate improve circulation. That could be good for erection problems that are due to poor circulation. Flavonoids are naturally-occurring antioxidants that protect plants from toxins and help repair cell damage. Studies show that flavonoids and other antioxidants have similar effects on people. They may help lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol, both of which are factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction. (credit:Shutterstock)

Protein in Pistachios(03 of06)

A recent study found that men with erectile dysfunction who ate pistachio nuts every day for three weeks experienced significant improvement in sexual issues, including ED, sexual desire, and overall sexual satisfaction. The benefits of pistachios for erection problems may be due to a protein called arginine, which may help relax blood vessels. "This is another example of how good circulation is good for sexual health, which is good news because I eat a lot of pistachios," says Dr. Daneshgari. (credit:Shutterstock)

Zinc in Oysters and Other Shellfish(04 of06)

The oyster has always had an aphrodisiac reputation. One reason may be that oysters have high levels of the mineral zinc, which plays an important role in the production of the male hormone testosterone, and low levels of testosterone could be one reason for erectile dysfunction. Research presented at an American Chemical Society meeting may offer another connection: Raw shellfish contain compounds that stimulate the release of sexual hormones in both men and women. (credit:Shutterstock)

Antioxidants in Watermelon(05 of06)

Some studies show that watermelon may have effects on erectile dysfunction that are similar to the ED drug Viagra and may also increase sexual desire. Watermelon is rich in beneficial ingredients known as phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are also antioxidants. One of their benefits is that they relax the blood vessels that supply an erection. Although watermelon is 92 percent water, the other 8 percent may work wonders for your heart and your sexual enjoyment. (credit:Shutterstock)

Lycopene in Tomatoes and Grapefruit(06 of06)

Lycopene is one of those phytonutrients that is good for circulation and good for sexual issues. Lycopene is found in deep red fruits like tomatoes and grapefruits. Some studies show that lycopene may be absorbed best when mixed with oily vegetables like avocados and spinach. So you might want to make yourself an ED-fighting salad. Research also shows that antioxidants like lycopene help fight male infertility and prostate cancer. (credit:Shutterstock)

“[P]eople who are on the medication and who have a high risk for developing melanoma may consider touching base with their primary care providers,” Dr. Abrar Qureshi, co-author of the study and professor and chair of the dermatology department in the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, told NBC News.

In the UK, over 10,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma - the rarer form of skin cancer. In men it tends to develop on the best and back.

The new study’s findings, reported HuffPost US, "seem to fly in the face of a previously study that said Viagra could help defend against melanoma". In that 2011 study, conducted by Dr. Viktor Umansky and his team at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Viagra was shown to neutralize a melanoma tumor’s inflammatory immune response in a group of mice. However, as pointed out by Slate, there are many issues with medical trials on mice extending to human trial successes.

Erectile Dysfunction uk lifestyle news skin cancer Health viagra

Related