Can Nicotinamide (B3) supplementation prevent skin cancer development…. if yes with this new research on B3 and Skin Cancer a reasonable ballpark is that tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand cases a year of skin cancer could potentially be prevented in the U.S. if nicotinamide were widely used in people at elevated risk.*
Why isn’t this front page news?
This paper was published online September 17, 2025 in JAMA Dermatology. JAMA Network+2PubMed+2
In summary:
In a cohort of 33,822 veterans, use of oral nicotinamide (500 mg twice daily for > 30 days) was linked to a 14% lower risk of new skin cancers. JAMA Network+2PubMed+2
Starting nicotinamide after the first skin cancer was associated with a much larger risk reduction (~54%), but benefits decreased with more prior skin cancers.
If you’ve had skin cancer or are likely to face it again, there are several paths doctors may take. A skin exam to check spots averages 150 to 300 dollars. If something looks suspicious, a biopsy or removal can cost anywhere from 150 up to 1800 dollars depending on complexity. Freezing precancerous spots with cryotherapy usually runs 140 to 300 dollars. For confirmed cancers, Mohs surgery is common and averages around 1300 to 1400 dollars for the first stage. Some cases are managed with prescription creams or light therapy, with costs ranging from affordable co-pays to several hundred dollars. Cosmetic care after treatment, like lasers or peels, is usually elective and can range from a few hundred to several thousand. Insurance often helps with medical treatments but less so with cosmetic ones.
Now the good news, a typical OTC bottle of nicotinamide 500 mg x 120 capsules costs about $16-$20 in some retailers
What That Means in Time & Money Saved
Putting cost + effect together, here’s how things could play out in a simplified scenario:
Suppose you take 1,000 mg/day. If you use a $20 bottle that holds 120 capsules (which at 2 capsules/day gives ~60 days), that’d cost about $20 per 2 months or $10/month.
Over a year, that’s ~$ 50-120 depending on brand or strength. If you use a more expensive prescription version, it might cost a few hundred dollars/year.
If without nicotinamide you were at higher risk of getting another skin cancer in, say, 1-2 years, having a 54% risk reduction (if you start after your first skin cancer) could mean potentially preventing half of those expected future skin cancers. That could mean saving time off work, medical procedures, possibly invasive surgery and follow-ups.
Estimating how many could be helped
Let’s consider a couple of scenarios:
General population at risk for recurrence or with previous skin cancer
If we assume that out of the ~3.3 million people diagnosed yearly, a subset (say people who’ve had at least one skin cancer already) might use nicotinamide.
If even 1 million people in that high-risk group take nicotinamide, and get a 14% reduction in new skin cancers, that’s ~140,000 fewer skin cancers in that year in that group.
If started after first skin cancer
If a smaller group (e.g. 500,000 people) who have had their first skin cancer begin nicotinamide, with ~54% risk reduction, that could mean preventing ~270,000 new skin cancers in that group/year.
Caveats & real-world constraints
Not everyone will start nicotinamide or stick with the dosing (500 mg twice daily as in the study).
There might be medical contraindications or side effects.
The full effect takes time; benefits might accumulate only after months.
Cost, access, and awareness will limit uptake.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement, including nicotinamide (Vitamin B3).