Men who take the popular erectile dysfunction drug Viagra may double their risk of developing potentially fatal skin cancer, Melanoma. It is important if you continue to use the medication, that you know how to check your body for the signs that melanoma is developing.
Viagra and Melanoma
Many journals have published studies suggesting men taking Viagra are more likely to develop melanoma than men who have not taken the drug. A failure to warn of this very serious risk. A risk that could be the basis for a claim.
One study by the National Institutes of Health involved nearly 26,000 men and found that sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in Viagra, may increase a man’s risk of developing melanoma by as much as 84 %. Beginning in 2000, the study interviewed participants about their use of Viagra, sexual health and their history of sun exposure. They compared this to a risk of genetic skin cancer, including a history of moles and eye and hair color.
Over the next 10 years, researchers noted various skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Researchers found 3,030 incidences of basal cell carcinoma, 580 of squamous cell carcinoma and 142 of melanoma. They concluded men who used Viagra had a two-fold risk of developing melanoma. However, there did not appear to be a link between Viagra and a higher risk of developing other types of skin cancers.
Additionally, researchers did not find any evidence that suffering from ED increases a man’s risk of melanoma. This does not necessarily prove that Viagra causes skin cancer, but there is a link between the two.
Early Melanoma Detection is Critical
According to allegations raised in the litigation, if Pzsir provided warnings and information about the risk of skin cancer from Viagra, men may have avoided a melanoma diagnosis. They could have chosen not to use the drug or may have prevented the skin cancer from reaching an advanced stage if they were informed about the importance of looking for unusual moles or growths on the skin.
Early detection of melanoma is critical for treatment and long-term survival. Doctors and the manufacturer could have warned users of Viagra about ABCDE system of checking the skin for signs of cancer, looking for:
- Asymmetrical moles or growths, where one half is different from the other.
- Borders that are irregular in shape.
- Color changes over time and more than one color on one growth.
- Diameter of growths and moles that exceed 6 mm; larger than a pencil eraser.
- Evolution of the mole or growth, meaning that it changes appearance over time.
We Want to Help Melanoma Victims
It is your right to have the drug companies inform you about the long-term risks associated with the medications you take. If you or a loved one took Viagra and developed, you should demand accountability from Pfizer. Why didn’t they tell you?
We want to help send a message that this is not acceptable. We are advocates for consumers who have been harmed by dangerous products. We have the experience necessary to successfully litigate these cases.
On June 15, 2016, U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg appointed Attorney Michael Brady Lynch, lead trial attorney and founder of The Michael Brady Lynch Firm in Winter Park, FL to serve on the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee (PSC) in Viagra litigation MDL #2691.
It is no surprise that Judge Seeborg appointed Attorney Michael Brady Lynch to this prestigious position. Lynch has represented thousands of plaintiffs in MDLs and state-coordinated mass tort claims from around the country. He has recovered over $250 million in verdicts and settlements.
Attorney Michael Brady Lynch is no stranger to leadership positions in prominent mass tort actions. Attorney Michael Brady Lynch was also appointed to the PSC in the Pradaxa MDL #2385. Boehringer went on to settle Pradaxa claims for over $650 million. Lynch is dedicated to bringing the same determination for justice on the Viagra Plaintiff’s Steering Committee.
Contact the Michael Brady Lynch Firm today for a free consultation to learn more about seeking justice. A jury may give you compensation for any medical expenses associated with this ordeal, as well as for your physical and emotional suffering. There is no obligation.