Viagra and Cancer: Potential Treatment or Extra Risk?

The fact is that rectal cancer is among three main causes of cancer mortality in the USA. Moreover, it is estimated to be the cause of fatal outcomes of approximately 50 thousand people every year. New finding suggest that the preeminent blue tablet Viagra could be helpful in its treatment. Contrarily, there are findings that the same pill can increase the risk of melanoma. What's the truth and what's the hoax? Let’s try to find the golden mean.

Viagra and Colorectal Cancer—Research Data

Scientists at the Georgia’s Medical College at Augusta University discovered that a small daily consumption of Viagra contributes to significant reducing chances of getting colorectal cancer.

Specialists conducted their research with the help of mouse model which was previously modified a mutation, causing colitis, which is and intestine’s inflammation. The identical metamorphosis in humans leads to the polyps’ creation, which are abnormal cells clumps on the intestine lining. It almost inevitably leads to formation of malignancies. Mice which drunk water with low sildenafil dosage was noticed to have reduced polyps.

Dr. Browing who is the researching team leader, claims that in mice the creation of polyps decreased twice. Further steps include drug’s clinical experimentation in patients with increased risk of the bowel cancer formation, meaning patients with genetical predisposition or patients who faced multiple polyps earlier or suffered from colitis (intestinal inflammation of the chronic nature).

What’s Behind the Anticancer Activity?

Viagra and its analogues suppress the work of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) enzyme, which controls blood flow in the male genitals, as well as the activity of certain types of immune cells. Several studies have shown that as the tumor is removed, many components of the immune system are suppressed, and, as scientists have suggested, blocking PDE-5 can restore them.

Therefore, the suppression of PDE5 in rodents stimulated the immune system killer cells, which are responsible for fighting cancer, and neutralized other bodies that negatively affect the immune system.

A related topic: Alternative Uses of Sildenafil Citrate in Medicine

Viagra and Skin Cancer—the Opposite Opinion

According to a research which was published in JAMA magazine in 2014, males who took the blue pill had a higher probability to develop skin cancer (melanoma). However, rough figures show that the risk of get melanoma due to Viagra intake is minor. Epidemiological studies like the mentioned one shows only outcome, not causative links between sildenafil consumption and development of skin-related malignant tumors.

Later other scientists pointed out that the use of Viagra and other anti-impotence medications does not elevate probabilities of developing melanoma and other types of skin cancer. A related article was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). However, they pointed out that doctors still should not refuse to test people for the possibility of developing skin cancer, but they should not add Viagra and other alike remedies to the list of risk factors. The researchers indicated alternative version of such a statistics: men taking sildenafil visited doctors more often and were more concerned about their health, due to which they were diagnosed with the malignant disease more often and earlier.

To put it shortly, be afraid of sun, not Viagra. Doctors recommend to avoid prolonged and / or severe sunlight exposure which can boost the risk of melanoma.

*Consulting with a licensed healthcare professional in your own country is always recommended before considering purchasing medications online.