"New findings add to confusion over whether taking aspirin ibuprofen or related painkillers reduces the risk of developing melanoma.  Animal experiments have suggested that the class of painkillers known as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs NSAIDs could play a role in preventing melanoma but a large  study failed to find any evidence to support this possibility.  Now a smaller study that asked people with melanoma and those without the disease to recall their use of NSAIDs has found that taking these drugs  particularly aspirin  at least once a week for more than  years may have offered some protection against the deadly disease.  The findings are interesting but should not lead people to conclude that popping a few painkillers will reduce their risk of skin cancer cautioned Dr. Maryam Asgari of Kaiser Permanente Northern California and the University of California San Francisco who coauthored the  study.  NSAIDs  which include aspirin naproxen marketed as Aleve and ibuprofen Advil  have side effects she noted such as stomach bleeding. People with a family history of melanoma are better off wearing sunscreen and getting regular skin checks from a dermatologist Asgari recommended.  I think its just too early to say NSAIDs offer any protection she said. I think the jury is still out.  Theres reason to hope NSAIDs might offer some protection against this type of cancer however  earlier this year a review found that people who use painkillers such as ibuprofen on a regular basis may be less likely to get bladder cancer. Other research has consistently supported the benefits of NSAIDs in preventing colorectal cancer and provided some evidence they may work for breast esophagus and stomach cancers as well.  Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer killing almost  people in the U.S. last year according to the National Cancer Institute.  To investigate whether NSAIDs offer any protection Dr. Clara CurielLewandrowski of Harvard Medical School and the University of Arizona asked  people diagnosed with melanoma and  similar people without the disease to recall their use of the painkillers.  The researchers found that people without cancer had a longer history of taking NSAIDs than people who eventually developed melanoma. Specifically more than  percent of people who were cancerfree said theyd been taking NSAIDs at least once per week for more than  years versus only  percent of those who developed melanoma. Overall regular use of NSAIDs for more than  years appeared to reduce the risk of developing cancer by more than  percent the authors report in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.  Unfortunately the technique  comparing people with melanoma to those without  is fraught with potential problems said Asgari. For one you have to get the comparison right she noted theres always a concern that people without cancer who agree to participate in the study may be more health conscious to begin with and its this that protects them from cancer not their use of NSAIDs. Did you somehow get a biased sample of people and is that why youre seeing this difference  Her  study analyzed data from nearly  people who were melanomafree at the beginning of the investigation then followed them for a few years to see who developed the disease. She and her colleagues found no evidence that taking NSAIDs had any effect on risk of developing the deadly skin cancer.  As a result I wouldnt recommend taking NSAIDs to reduce melanoma just based on this new study Asgari noted.  SOURCE bit.lyhjfo httpbit.lyhjfo Journal of Investigative Dermatology March  . Our StandardsThe Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. httpthomsonreuters.comenaboutustrustprinciples.html"