Failure to Warn Cases Over Cialis, Viagra Skin Cancer Risk
The Cialis and Viagra lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for men throughout the United States who have been diagnosed with melanoma after using the popular erectile dysfunction drug.
Contact Our Lawyers to Review aVIAGRA MELANOMA CASE
Recent research has suggested that side effects of Viagra and Cialis may increase the risk of skin cancer, particularly involving melanoma, which is the most dangerous and life-threatening form. Potential symptoms may include:
- New or Unusual Moles
- Changes in Existing Moles
- Patches of Skin with Unusual Pigmentation
- Unusual Growths on Skin
- Sores that Do Not Heal
- Itching, Tender Or Painful Moles or Patches of Skin
As a result of the drug makers’ failure to adequately warn about the potential risk, financial compensation may be available through a Viagra melanoma lawsuit or Cialis melanoma lawsuit. To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or loved one, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Viagra and Cialis Melanoma Diagnosis
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes, which is less common than other skin cancers, but is particularly dangerous and responsible for about 75% of all skin cancer deaths each year.
Following a melanoma diagnosis, the chances for cure are high if the skin cancer is found early, while it is still small and thin. However, once the cancer penetrates deeply into the layers of the skin, the likelihood that it will come back or spread may increase.
If adequate warnings had been provided about the link between Viagra and melanoma, many men may have avoided this serious skin cancer diagnosis by electing not to take Viagra or Cialis, or they may have been in a better position to catch the cancer early by carefully monitoring their skin for signs or symptoms of melanoma.
Melanoma from Viagra or Cialis may have been diagnosed earlier in many cases if doctors and users were aware of the importance of looking for unusual moles or patches of skin while using the medication.
Cancer experts have developed what is known as the ABCDE system for early melanoma detection. It appears that users should have been warned about the potential Viagra melanoma risks so that they could be on the look for moles and growths with the following characteristics:
- Asymmetry: where one half of the abnormal area is different from the other half.
- Borders: The borders of the growth are irregular in shape.
- Color: The color of the growth or mole changes from one area to the other and can include tan, brown, black, white, red or blue. A mixture of the colors may appear on one sore or growth.
- Diameter: The diameter of the growth or mole is larger than 6 mm, which is about the size of a pencil eraser.
- Evolution: The mole or growth continues to change in appearance over time.
Suspicious growths or moles should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately.
Viagra Study Involving Melanoma
Information about the potential link between side effects of Viagra and a risk of melanoma were first highlighted for consumers and the medical community in an independent study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine in April 2014.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School in Boston conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the association between use of Viagra and the incidence of melanoma or other skin cancers. Participants in the “Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study” were questioned about their use of Viagra for erectile dysfunction in 2000, and subsequent reports of skin cancer were identified over the following 10 years.
Out of 25,848 men involved in the analysis, reports of at least 142 melanoma cases were identified, as well as 580 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 3,030 cases of basal cell carcinoma. Individuals reporting melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma were pathologically confirmed by the researchers.
The study concluded that Viagra may be associated with an 84% increased risk of men being diagnosed with melanoma, and called for additional research on the Viagra risks to be conducted.
Researchers indicated that Viagra side effects may impact the body’s ability to fight off skin caner. Viagra lowers levels of the cancer-fighting protein PDE5A, which may increase the invasiveness of melanoma cells.
Skin Cancer Lawsuits
Over the past 15 years, Pfizer has aggressively promoted Viagra for erectile dysfunction and increased sexual performance. However, while building a multi-billion dollar a year market for their blockbuster drug, it appears that information was withheld from consumers and the medical community about the Viagra skin cancer risks.
Financial compensation may be available through a Viagra melanoma settlement for men diagnosed with this form of skin cancer. Potential claims are being reviewed by on behalf of individuals throughout the United States, and all cases are handled by our Viagra injury attorneys under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are never any fees or expenses received by our law firm unless a recovery is obtained.
Free and confidential consultations are provided to help men and families determine if they may be eligible to pursue a claim. To learn more or review a potential case following a Viagra melanoma diagnosis, call 1-800-522-0102 or request a legal consultation.