Need a new kidney? Be prepared to use sunscreen

I am starting this blog with a lot more research needs to be done before any real conclusions are come. However, saying that, there was previously stated to be an increased risk of skin cancer in those that undergo organ transplants with kidney transplants in particular showing an increase in cancer. Researchers in Sweden have challenged this fact recently with a 45 year study in which they tracked organ transplant patients. Their results showed that there was no increased risk of cancer. To go along with this, a Dutch study has also come forth and said that patients with an organ transplant was seen to have a decline in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma.

Within the Norway study, from the years 1968 to 2012, after a patient had an organ transplant, they followed them for a mean time length of 6.7 years and recorded all incidences of skin cancer found. From 1983-1987 there was a massive decline in the incidences of skin cancer, along with decreases from 1998-2002, 2003-2007, and 2008-2012. The most common thoughts to go along with this is that medicine and treatment methods have gotten more specialized and individualized and with the increase of immunosuppressants, a decrease in skin cancer incidences.

Overall from this study, they concluded that of patients that had undergone organ transplants, there was a decrease in squamous cell carcinoma since the mid-1980s. As stated above this reduction is most likely due to the advance of immune suppression treatment. Dermatologists and transplant physicians still fear a higher incidence of skin cancer in transplant patients over the general population however. 

https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/organ-transplants-risk-skin-cancer/