A novel study has found that a form of vitamin B3, known as nicotinamide, can reduce a person’s risk of developing skin cancer by 23%.

The researchers from the University of Sydney recruited 386 patients. They were divided into two sub-groups: one of them has to take the vitamin and the other group has to take a placebo pill twice a day.

They were followed for five years and the researchers came to know that the preventive effect of the vitamin against skin cancer starts after three months of pill intake. Risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas on people in the group taking the vitamin was 23% less than those who took the placebo pill.

The Skin Cancer Foundation stated that one in five Americans are at risk of skin cancer during their lifetime. Amongst all, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and squamous cell carcinoma is the second in the list.

The researchers noted that the effect of the pill ended after people stopped taking it, which suggests that there is a need of continuous intake of vitamin B3 to derive positive results. Researchers said that the pill would not be heavy on pocket, as nicotinamide is cheaper and has lesser side effects compared to niacin, which is the most common used form of vitamin B3.

“It's a cheap vitamin ... one could be generous about starting it early if that's a preference”, said Dr. Peter Paul Yu, ASCO president.

The researchers said the pill can be availed at pharmacies and health stores for less than $10 a month. It shall, however, be noted that the researchers are not recommending to take nicotinamide for everyone. They have suggested it for those who are at increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.