by Lori Solomon

Some commonly prescribed photosensitizing drugs increase skin cancer risk, according to a study published online March 18 in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine.

Gustav Boelsgaard Christensen, from Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, and colleagues assessed whether the use of commonly prescribed photosensitizing drugs increases skin cancer risk.

The researchers found that hormone replacement therapy significantly increased the risk for basal cell carcinoma (BCC; hazard ratio [HR], 1.24), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC; HR 1.23), and cutaneous malignant melanoma (cM; HR, 1.31), with estrogen driving the risk.

There was a trend observed between a higher risk for BCC and cM and higher doses of estrogen treatment. Among individuals using diuretics, loop diuretics were associated with increased cSCC risk (HR, 1.6), including a positive association between risk and dose. Thiazide use was tied to increased risks for BCC (HR, 1.25) and cM (HR, 1.41). There was a possible curvilinear association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and BCC and cSCC.

“We suggest that physicians should advise female patients prescribed estrogen, thiazides, or loop diuretics to limit their sun exposure,” the authors write.

“Future well-designed prospective studies are warranted to further investigate the relationships between common photosensitizing drugs and the risk of skin cancer.”

More information: Gustav Boelsgaard Christensen et al, Photosensitizing Drugs and Risk of Skin Cancer in Women—A Prospective Population‐Based Study, Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1111/phpp.70013

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