Past studies have suggested Viagra use could increase one's risk of melanoma, but new research suggests it's likely the lifestyle of these individuals that is causing the link.
An analysis of more than 2,000 medical records came to the conclusion that skin cancer is not caused by erectile dysfunction drugs, despite increased instances of the disease seen in those who use these therapies, the NYU Langone Medical Center reported. The study showed more probable causes of the correlation are socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.
"What our study results show is that groups of men who are more likely to get malignant melanoma include those with higher disposable incomes and education -- men who likely can also afford more vacations in the sun -- and who also have the means to buy erectile dysfunction medications, which are very expensive," said Stacy Loeb, lead study investigator and NYU Langone urologist. "While medications for erectile dysfunction come with serious risk of a drop in blood pressure if taken together with other medicines called nitrates, overall they are safe medications, and our results suggest that physicians should not be concerned that the drugs cause melanoma."
Out of the 20,000 men included in the study, 4,065 were found to have developed malignant melanoma between 2006 and 2012. Out of the patient sample, 2,148 of the patients had used on of the three erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil), or Cialis (tadalafil). Only 435 of the men who used these drugs developed melanoma. These numbers show a 21 percent increased risk of melanoma among men who had filled an erectile dysfunction drug prescription, but there was no increased risk among men with the most prescriptions. The researchers believe a "dose relationship"
would be present if the drugs were the direct cause of the cancer. The team also did not find a relationship between more advanced stages of the disease and erectile dysfunction drug use.
"When used appropriately, erectile dysfunction medications are very effective and improve the quality of life for many men, so men should know it is doubtful that taking these medications puts them at greater risk of getting skin cancer," Loeb said.
The findings were published in a recent edition of the journal JAMA.
