Non-melanoma cancer cuts fracture risk

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Non-melanoma cancer cuts fracture risk

People who have been diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer have a much lower risk of broken bones than the general population, Australian research has found.

Scientists compared the incidence of fractures in Tasmanians aged 50 and over between 1997 and 2000 with records of people diagnosed with basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas from 1991 to 2000.

They found having a non-melanoma skin cancer reduced the risk of fractures not associated with a major trauma such as a car accident, by 31 per cent.

The effect was seen most strongly in hip fractures, a common cause of disability and death in the older population.

Menzies Research Institute deputy director Alison Venn said the study provided more support for the idea that sun and its beneficial effects on vitamin D levels were important protective factors against broken bones.

She said most fractures associated with minor trauma such as a fall in older people were a result of bone thinning and osteoporosis.

The researchers cross-referenced the records of almost 2,300 patients aged 50 and over from the Southern Tasmanian Fracture Registry against almost 23,000 people with non-melanoma skin cancer in the state's cancer Registry.

"People who'd had a fracture were less likely to have had non-melanoma skin cancer in the past," Associate Professor Venn said in an interview.

"Having a non-melanoma skin cancer is associated with lower fracture risk, most likely due to the outdoor lifestyle linked to cumulative sunlight exposure levels."

The results of the population-based study were presented to the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia's annual scientific meeting in Brisbane this week.

The study is believed to be the first in the world to look at the association between skin cancer and fracture risk.

Prof Venn said the main limitation of the study was an inability to adjust for levels of physical activity, also known to be protective against fractures.

She warned people against using the results of the study to think: "Oh great. I can have as much sun as I like now."

"The risks of sun exposure have to be weighed against the benefits and in most situations it's important for people to have sun protection, especially if they are at high risk of skin cancer," Prof Venn said.

"People who are at high risk of skin cancer or of fractures associated with osteoporosis might want to talk to their doctors about their vitamin D needs.

© 2005 AAP


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