On April 8, 2014, NBC News reported that researchers have linked Viagra to melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer. The study found that those taking the prescription medication were 84 percent more likely to be diagnosed with the skin cancer than the control groups. While results are preliminary and do not necessarily indicate that patients should cease taking Viagra, patients who are at an increased risk for melanoma should consider addressing their concerns with their healthcare providers.
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with skin cancer or melanoma while taking Viagra or if you have experienced severe side effects, consider seeking legal counsel to determine whether you are eligible to file a cancer lawsuit. Attorney Group can review your case, help answer your questions and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you in pursuing your claim.
Study Finds Possible Viagra and Skin Cancer Connection
Studies estimate that roughly 76,100 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed in 2014 in the U.S. alone, and nearly 9,710 individuals will die as a result of the condition, roughly 6,470 of which are men. The researchers at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University and colleagues at several sites across the U.S. and China evaluated data about skin cancer and Viagra use from the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study, a long-term analysis of healthcare workers and male physicians.
Researchers found that roughly 6 percent of participants took the drug as means of treating erectile dysfunction, and that the average age of participants in the study was 65. If men took the drug, the possibility of developing melanoma skin cancer was double of those who never took the medication. This finding held true even when the researchers adjusted for major illnesses, other kinds of cancer, ultraviolet light exposure in the states where the men lived, a family history of skin cancer, and other factors. The study examined nearly 26,000 men and was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.
Viagra may increase the risk of melanoma because it affects the same genetic pathway that allows the cancer cells to become more invasive. However, researchers found that participants who took the medication were not at an increased risk of developing other, less-dangerous types of skin cancer, such as squamous cell or basal cell cancers.
Men who have developed melanoma or suffered from other side effects while taking the drug may be eligible to file a cancer lawsuit and recover damages for their condition. Depending on the specifics within the cancer lawsuit, plaintiffs may be eligible to receive pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. Those who have been injured and feel that Viagra contributed to their conditions should consider seeking legal counsel to learn more about filing a cancer lawsuit and holding the manufacturer responsible for compensation for their injuries.
Do You Have a Cancer Lawsuit? Contact Us for More Information
If you have been taking Viagra and you were diagnosed with skin cancer or you suffered from adverse side effects, you may be eligible to file a cancer lawsuit and seek compensation for your condition. Contact Attorney Group today to receive a free consultation and determine whether you have a claim. We can help answer your questions and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can help you to file your cancer lawsuit.
