Study Finds Viagra Use Increases Risk of Skin Cancer
New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that may have up to double the risk of skin cancer.
The study, published in the June edition of JAMA, evaluated 26,000 male patients who disclosed during a 2000 Harvard study that used sildenafil citrate, branded as Viagra, to treat erectile dysfunction. During the initial study, none of the men had cancer; however, during the 10 years after the study, researchers found that the group of men were twice as likely to develop skin cancer as the general population. That finding was true for the group after the researchers adjusted for family history, ultraviolet light exposure, and other major illnesses that could also increase the risk of skin cancer.
The male participants took every two years, until 2010. The research group identified 142 cases of melanoma, 580 of squamous cell carcinoma, and 3,030 cases of basal cell carcinoma. The group believes it is Viagra, and not erectile dysfunction, that is the link to dangerous skin cancers.
“But people who are on the medication and who have a high risk for developing melanoma may consider touching base with their primary care providers,” said Dr. Abrar Qureshi, co-author of the study.
Dr. Qureshi suggested that Viagra might increase the risk of skin cancer because the drug works along the same genetic pathways that allows cancer to become more invasive.
Statistically, about 76,000 new cases of melanoma are expected to be diagnosed in 2014, and about 9,710 people will die – around 6,470 of those patients will be men.
Lawsuits against Pfizer for personal injury related to are already coming in. One plaintiff, Edward Corboy Jr, claims that Pfizer knew about the link between Viagra and skin cancer prior to his diagnosis. Corboy was prescribed Viagra in 2008 to treat erectile dysfunction, and in 2012, he was diagnosed with melanoma, one of the more lethal forms of skin cancer.
Dangerous Pharmaceuticals and Personal Injury
Did you know that every year approximately 200,000 Americans die from prescription drug reactions? While the U.S. government pours billions of dollars into illegal drug interdiction every year, more Americans die from problems with legal, prescription drugs than illegal ones. Sometimes these complications lead to drug recalls, but often the process takes years, while consumers file complaints and personal injury lawsuits against the pharmaceutical company pile up.
To protect yourself and your family, it’s important to know what products and drugs have been recalled because they are defective or unsafe. Federal agencies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), and the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) frequently issue recalls for medical devices, drugs, and products that may be harmful to consumers. Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective drugs. Some consumers even die after taking a dangerous drug that has not been recalled. Many of these problems could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help Dangerous Drug Personal Injury Lawsuits, From Actos to Viagra
The South Carolina pharmaceutical liability lawyers at The Strom Law Firm, LLC are at the forefront of the fight to protect the public and will stand up for your rights against the big drug and insurance companies that produce dangerous drugs and products like Viagra from Pfizer. We will fight to ensure that you and your loved ones receive the justice you deserve. Contact our South Carolina defective drug attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case as well as your legal rights. Contact us today. 803.252.4800.
