Sildenafil Shows Promise Against Cancer Spread; Human Trials Still Needed

Scientists are studying a medicine called sildenafil, which is the main ingredient in a pill called Viagra.

Viagra is usually used to help people with a health problem called erectile dysfunction.

A new study from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel looked at how cancer works.

Cancer can spread through the body when cells break off from a tumor and travel to other parts of the body.

This spreading is called metastasis, and it is the most common reason people die from cancer.

The scientists found that sildenafil might stop cancer cells from using cholesterol, which they need to spread.

Cholesterol is like a fuel that helps cancer cells travel.

But this discovery was only made in a laboratory, not in real patients.

Doctors say we need more tests on humans before we know if it really works, or which cancers it might help.

Most importantly, doctors tell people not to take Viagra by themselves to try to fight cancer, because it can have side effects and be unsafe.