High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a health problem that affects more than one in three adults in Australia. If it isn’t treated well, it can lead to serious problems like heart disease and stroke.
To help control high blood pressure, doctors often prescribe medications. One of the most commonly used drugs in Australia is hydrochlorothiazide. However, a new study from UNSW Sydney has found a possible link between this drug and a higher risk of getting skin cancer in older adults.
Hydrochlorothiazide can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. This means it might make people more likely to get sunburn or damage from the sun, which increases the risk of skin cancer.
The study used data from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This included private and secure information about people aged 65 and older in New South Wales. The researchers looked at their medical records, including cancer diagnoses, hospital visits, and medication history.
They focused on data from 2004 to 2015. The study compared people who developed skin cancer—45 cases of lip cancer and 659 cases of melanoma—with a group of 13,300 people who did not have skin cancer.
The results showed that people who took hydrochlorothiazide had a greater risk of getting both melanoma and lip cancer. The longer someone used the drug, the higher their chance of developing lip cancer.
Even though this news might sound worrying, the researchers warn people not to stop taking their blood pressure medicine on their own. High blood pressure is dangerous if not treated. Suddenly stopping medication without a doctor’s advice can cause harm.
Instead, the researchers recommend that doctors and patients work together to reduce risk. This might include checking the skin more often, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and staying out of strong sunlight during the middle of the day.
Doctors have now added this cancer risk to the official information that comes with hydrochlorothiazide. This is meant to help health workers stay aware and manage blood pressure safely while protecting patients from other health problems.
This new Australian study supports earlier research from other countries that also found a link between hydrochlorothiazide and skin cancer. It reminds everyone that, while medicines are important, they can have side effects. It’s important to find the right balance between treating high blood pressure and avoiding other risks.
For people taking this medicine, this study is a helpful reminder to take care in the sun. That means wearing sunscreen, covering up with clothes and hats, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours.
The research was led by Dr. Benjamin Daniels and published in the journal Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. It helps doctors and patients understand more about how common medicines can affect overall health.
Managing blood pressure is very important, but so is looking at all parts of a person’s health. This study shows how one medicine can affect other areas of the body, and how small changes in care can help protect people from more serious health problems.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.
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