"Taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs NSAIDs  which include medicine cabinet staples such as aspirin Motrin and Aleve  appears to significantly lower the risk for developing several major forms of skin cancer a new Danish study reveals.    Whats more the apparent protective impact of both prescription and nonprescription NSAIDs on skin cancer risk seems to be stronger the longer someone takes them.    Overthecounter NSAIDs are used to control pain fever and swelling. NSAIDs also include prescription medicines called COX enzyme inhibitors such as Celebrex celecoxib.    Our study showed that users of common painkillers known as NSAIDs have a lower risk of the three major types of skin cancer including malignant melanoma basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma said study lead author Sigrun Alba Johannesdottir at the department of clinical epidemiology at Aarhus University Hospital in Aarhus Denmark.    The greatest effect she noted was found for squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanoma especially when these painkillers were taken frequently and over a long time period.    The study appears in the May  online issue of the journal Cancer.    The authors noted that prior work supported the notion that NSAIDs may offer some measure of protection against cancer most notably colorectal cancer by specifically impeding the cancercausing activities of COX cyclooxygenase enzymes.    However the team suggested that past investigations into how NSAIDs may affect skin cancer risk in particular had key design problems that undercut efforts to nail down any NSAIDskin cancer connection.    For the new study the researchers analyzed prescription databases and health information registries including the Danish Cancer Registry and the Danish Civil Registration System.    The team focused on diagnostic and death records concerning nearly  cases of squamous cell carcinoma about  cases of basal cell carcinoma and nearly  cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed between  and  when the patients were at least  years old.    In turn prescription histories were gathered for both the cancer patient group and almost  healthy Danes. Records covered the use of both low and highdose aspirin ranging from  milligrams to  milligrams socalled nonselective NSAIDs such as ibuprofen Advil and naproxen Aleve and both older and newer types of COX inhibitors. Researchers noted the number of prescriptions issued per patient and their length of use with shortterm use defined as fewer than seven years.    The result The relative risk for squamous cell carcinoma was found to have dropped by  percent among those Danes who had filled more than two NSAID prescriptions compared to those who had filled two or less.    Similarly malignant melanoma risk fell by nearly as much  percent among those filling more than two NSAID prescriptions.    However the same dynamic was generally not seen with regards to basal cell carcinoma. But taking NSAIDs for long periods of time and at relatively high doses was associated with a reduced risk between  and  percent specifically for basal cell cases that manifested in skin regions that typically experience relatively little sun exposure areas other than the neck or head.    On that front longterm users and those who took NSAIDs at relatively higher doses appeared to benefit from the strongest protective effect suggesting that when it comes to skin cancer risk reduction more NSAID use is better.    The researchers pointed out that the NSAIDcancer connection could be affected by a range of lifestyle factors they did not account for such as an individuals specific skin type or sun exposure patterns.    But Johannesdottir added that we hope that our finding will inspire more research on skin cancer prevention. Also the potential cancerprotective effect should be taken into account when discussing benefits and harms of NSAID use she noted.    However other studies need to detail the association further and to examine benefits versus risks she cautioned. Meanwhile the most important prevention against skin cancer remains sun protection.    Meanwhile Dr. William Ting a private practice dermatologist in San Ramon Calif. praised the study despite agreeing that many factors are at play when it comes to skin cancer formation.    Now we have a better understanding that inflammation also plays a significant role in cancer formation and even skin cancers he said.    And this exciting article gives physicians and consumers a relatively simple way of diminishing ones risk of skin cancer by doing what most of us are doing already for heart health Ting added. Ting also advised that people consult with their doctor before starting on any blood thinner.    While the study found an association between skin cancer risk and NSAIDs it did not prove a causeandeffect relationship. More information  For more on NSAIDs and cancer visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute.  SOURCES Sigrun Alba Johannesdottir department of clinical epidemiology Aarhus University Hospital Aarhus Denmark William Ting M.D. F.A.A.D. private practice dermatologist Advanced Dermatology Care San Ramon Calif. May   Cancer online"