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Taking Viagra could have another unexpected life-saving effect

Could Viagra save lives?
Could Viagra save lives?

Viagra has become one of the most famous medicines in history – and many of the millions of men who rely on it might hail it as a ‘life-saver’.

But the drug could have potential to actually save people’s lives, scientists have said.

Researchers at Augusta University found that Viagra (aka sildenafil citrate) significantly
reduces the risk of colorectal cancer in mice.

The next stage is human trials – and it could mean that the little blue pill could be used to combat a cancer which is the third most common worldwide.

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Lead author Darren D. Browning said, ‘Giving a baby dose of Viagra can reduce the amount of tumours in these animals by half.’

The researchers added a tiny dose to the animals’ drinking water – and now hope to start a clinical trial with human patients at high risk of the disease.

At the doses used in the mouse trial, Viagra does not have its well-known effect on the human physiology, the researchers say.