Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer May Be a Risk Factor for Cancer in Other Organs

Patients may ask if sunscreens will adversely impact vitamin D protection against other cancers.

The relationship between non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and cancer in other organs is controversial. It has been postulated that the same molecular mechanisms that cause cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) will predispose to other primary tumors. On the other hand, most skin cancers are caused by sun exposure, which also increases vitamin D synthesis, which is thought to have anti-carcinogenic effects.

To examine this issue further, investigators evaluated the relationship between history of NMSC and subsequent malignancies at other sites using data from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; 24 years of data) and the Health Professionals' Follow-up Study (HPFS; 22 years). Statistically significant increases i…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)