Can supplements help prevent skin cancer?
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer among Americans, with numbers exceeding that of breast, lung, prostate and colon cancer combined. We all know some tried-andtrue methods for preventing skin cancer, which include wearing sunscreen and avoiding prolonged sun exposure, but what may not be so well known is that dietary supplements can be beneficial as well.
Supplements backed by scientific research
While there are a number of recommendations for supplements that can help prevent skin cancer, not many of them are backed by scientific studies. It is important to review the data and any scientific studies supporting the supplement before deciding if it’s worth adding to your daily regimen. One supplement that has been scientifically proven to reduce the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers among people who have already had a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma is a form of vitamin B3 known as nicotinamide. In a study of high-risk patients performed by Australian researchers, new nonmelanoma skin cancer rates were down 23% in the nicotinamide group compared to the placebo group over the span of a year.
But how does it work?
You may be wondering how a supplement that you ingest into your body can help protect your skin. In order to understand how nicotinamide works to protect your body from skin cancer, it may be helpful to first understand how ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation causes damage to your body’s DNA and interferes with the immune system in skin cells, reducing the amount of energy the cells have available to repair damage. When DNA is damaged, it can result in uncontrolled growth, leading to skin cancer. So, rather than acting as a sunscreen, nicotinamide prevents ultraviolet light-induced DNA damage and immune suppression as well as helps to repair UV-damaged cells. Basically, the supplement has been shown to provide skin cells with an energy boost, enhancing DNA repair and strengthening the skin’s immune system. For patients with a history of non-melanoma skin cancers or suppressed immune systems, nicotinamide can offer a promising prevention method.
What else do I need to know?
It’s important to note that during the study, the positive effects of nicotinamide were only seen when patients were actively taking the vitamin, so it is something you have to add to your daily routine with consistency. The supplement is inexpensive and easily accessible over the counter. Adding Nicotinamide to your daily routine does not replace the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet full of vitamin-rich foods, wearing sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and getting regular skin cancer screenings from your dermatologist.
Dr. Daniel Shurman of Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners in Amity Township completed his dermatology training at Thomas Jefferson University. He is fellowship-trained in both Mohs micrographic surgery and procedural dermatology, and his research interests include medical genetics, antibiotics in dermatologic surgery and wound healing.