Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Dietary supplements, including vitamins and their derivatives, have been utilized within the field of dermatology to treat a variety of skin conditions. Antioxidants inhibit oxidation and decrease cellular damage caused by free radicals, potentially preventing DNA damage due to UV radiation. Laboratory studies have demonstrated promising results supporting the possible role of antioxidants for prevention of skin cancer related to UV exposure. We review the effects of frequently encountered antioxidants and vitamins suggested for the chemoprevention of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in humans.
Introduction
Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer in the United States, and cutaneous melanoma is projected to be the fifth most common form of cancer in 2022, with increasing incidence and high potential for mortality.[1–3] Estimates indicate that 35% to 45% of all cancers in White patients are cutaneous, with 4% to 5% occurring in Hispanic patients, 2% to 4% in Asian patients, and 1% to 2% in Black patients.[4]Of the keratinocyte carcinomas, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent, projected to affect approximately 33% to 39% of White males and 23% to 28% of White females in the United States during their lifetimes. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin malignancy, with a lifetime risk of 9% to 14% for White males and 4% to 9% for White females in the United States.
