A Simple Vitamin Might Help Beat Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a significant concern, being the most common type of cancer in the U.S. However, there's promising news: a simple vitamin might help in the fight against it.

The Study

Researchers examined over 33,800 U.S. veterans who had skin cancer. They discovered that those who took a vitamin B3 supplement, nicotinamide, experienced fewer new skin cancer growths. This is particularly important because skin cancer can recur, and this supplement may help prevent that.

Types of Skin Cancer

The study focused on two common types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC)

These types typically appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, hands, and arms.

The Results

• Taking 500 mg of nicotinamide twice a day for at least a month reduced the risk of new skin cancers by 14%.
• Best results: Starting the supplement immediately after the first skin cancer diagnosis led to a 54% reduction in new skin cancers.
• Most effective for cSCC: Nicotinamide was particularly effective against this more aggressive type of skin cancer.
• Organ transplant patients: While the supplement didn't lower their overall risk, it did reduce their chances of developing cSCC if started early.

Benefits of Nicotinamide

• Easy to obtain
• Minimal side effects compared to other cancer-preventative medications
• Safe option for those looking to lower their skin cancer risk

Ongoing Research

Not everyone will benefit from nicotinamide. More research is needed to determine who will gain the most from this supplement.