Long-term use of certain medications for high blood pressure may increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, and thus – increase the risk of lip cancer, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine.
A National Cancer Institute-funded study by medical service provider Kaiser Permanente has shown that photosensitizing antihypertensive drugs – such as nifedipine and hydrochlorothiazide – are associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the epidermis of the lips.
The researchers compared 712 patients in Northern California with lip cancer and a control group of 22. They found that the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip was higher with long-term use of photosensitizing drugs to lower the pressure.
According to the authors of the study, lip cancer is a rare cancer, and the benefits of proper treatment of high blood pressure far outweigh the risks. However, doctors should pay attention to patients with sensitive skin, often in the sun – and advise them to protect their lips with a suitable colorless lipstick and the entire face with a hat.
Photosensitizing drugs are believed to absorb visible and ultraviolet light energy, which leads to the release of electrons. Substances that arise, such as free radicals, damage DNA and other cell components, causing an inflammatory process (PAP).
pmw/ krf/