Metformin and Skin Cancer Risk in Taiwanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

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In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated the association of skin cancer risk with the use of metformin. Skin cancer incidence was lower among patients with exposure to metformin (45.59 per 100,000 person-years) than those who never used metformin (83.90 per 100,000 person-years; HR, 0.540). In the subtype analysis, a lower risk associated with metformin use was demonstrated for both melanoma (although not statistically significant) and nonmelanoma skin cancers (statistically significant).
In concordance with previous studies that demonstrated metformin's preventive effect against malignancies, these data suggest that metformin use might be associated with a lower risk for skin cancer. The authors suggest that metformin may be a good choice for patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for skin cancer. Prospective study is warranted to substantiate these findings.
– InYoung Kim, MD, PhD

Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock

Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

4000-1054

2208-8206

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