Studies have shown that popular erectile dysfunction drug Viagra could cause men to have an increased risk of developing melanoma skin cancer. Out of the three skin cancers, melanoma is the most dangerous.

Although studies have been inconclusive as to how direct the link is, many have raised concern over alleged Viagra side effects which are currently not warned about on the label.

Viagra Melanoma Skin Cancer Study

One study published in the April 2014 in JAMA Internal Medicine found that men using the little blue pill had an increased risk of developing Viagra melanoma by as much as 84 percent. The study also found that Cialis and Levitra may carry similar, if not higher, risks (because those drugs remain in the body for a longer period of time).

The study examined data taken from over 20,000 men during a 10-year period. It was found that 3,500 of these men developed severe Viagra side effects that involved skin cancer.

The cases of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, making the majority of the 3,500 skin cancer cases, were not caused by Viagra as the rate of men with skin cancer did not increase with Viagra use. However, 142 of these Viagra users developed Viagra melanoma. This was found at an increased rate.

Other melanoma risk factors were taken into account before asserting that Viagra may dramatically increase the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer.

The researchers stated that their findings were not conclusive and that more research was needed before making a definitive link. It was suggested that men who take Viagra proceed with caution, especially if they already have a high risk of developing the deadly skin cancer.

Melanoma Skin Cancer

Melanoma makes up only 2 percent of all skin cancer cases. But it is by far the deadliest of the skin cancers.

Melanoma resembles moles on the skin. If a mole has any abnormalities such as discoloration, growth, or if the mole is unsymmetrical, then it may be melanoma skin cancer.

It was estimated by the American Cancer Society that nearly 10,000 people would die from melanoma skin cancer in 2014.

Men who have taken Viagra and were diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer may file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer and win compensation for medical costs and pain and suffering.