Аспирин снижает риск рака кожи, но врачи предупреждают о рисках кровотечений

Trending Q. I just read your article on aspirin against sunburn. For some people it may have negative health risks. For me, the aspirin discovery was a lifesaver. I've been using aspirin for decades. I first read about research being done in England on aspirin and the possible protection from skin cancer over 60 years ago at lunch on a Friday. That same afternoon, I needed to spend up to four hours in the bright sun with no protection other than my clothes. (Back then, sunscreen wasn't common.) I took the four recommended aspirin, put on a tank top and went out into the sun. Of all the people I worked with that June afternoon, I was the only one who did not burn. Why was that so unusual? I am a full Scottish redhead, freckles and all. If I spent more than 15 minutes in the sun without aspirin protection, I would burn. With it, I could spend plenty of time in the sun. I had a heart attack nearly 20 years ago. One of my prescribed medications remains 81-milligram aspirin. Since I have been on a daily low dose, I just do not burn. Even better, I've never had any skin cancers. Why isn't there more research on a cheap pill that could help protect us from sunburn and skin cancer? A. You might be surprised to learn that there has been a fair amount of research on the relationship between low-dose aspirin and the risk of skin cancer. Researchers determined that aspirin protects against DNA damage from ultraviolet light (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, January 2023). A review of insurance records concluded, "… that aspirin use was associated with a significantly decreased risk of BCC" [basal cell carcinoma] (World Journal of Oncology, December 2022). Not all studies have been consistent, however. Anyone taking aspirin on a regular basis must be under medical supervision. There are risks of bleeding and drug interactions. Relying on aspirin alone to prevent a burn is imprudent. Wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen in addition would be wise, especially for vulnerable people. Q. A new cardiologist prescribed amlodipine for high blood pressure. Before long, I developed eczema and very swollen ankles and legs. I was sent to a dermatologist. He gave me something to help the rash but couldn't offer any help for the edema. He warned me that my legs might rot like a leper unless the blood pressure pill was changed. I am trying to learn everything I can about amlodipine. What can you tell me before my cardiologist visit in a couple of months? A. Edema (fluid retention) that makes ankles and legs swell is a common side effect of amlodipine. Readers have also complained about skin rashes, dizziness, flushing and heart palpitations. One complication that may not be mentioned is gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia) that sometimes requires surgery. There are many other ways to control high blood pressure. A recent analysis of various blood pressure (BP) drugs found that many patients stop using a medication like amlodipine due to the edema (JAMA, June 23, 2026). If a physician adds a diuretic or an ARB such as losartan, the edema may become less troublesome. To learn more about such BP medications and non-drug approaches to high blood pressure, you may wish to read our "eGuide to Blood Pressure Solutions." This online resource is located under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is "Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them."