The Role of Metformin in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Matched Study

This study analyzed the potential protective effects of metformin, a common diabetes medication, on non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) — basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — using a large and diverse U.S. health database called All of Us. Skin cancer poses significant risks, particularly in patients with darker skin tones, due to delayed diagnosis and unique risk factors. For example, SCC in African American patients has a much higher metastasis risk (20-40%) compared to sun-induced SCCs in Caucasian populations (1-4%).