The following Healthcast report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks first aired July 28, 2004, on Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

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It seems that a drug called Celebrex, proven effective in diseases like arthritis, can boost the treatment of skin cancer and may even help prevent breast cancer.

As happens so often in medicine, doctors accidentally discovered this other use for Celebrex. While it's too soon to tell, it may turn out to be a true wonder drug against cancer.

Yvonne Cassidy developed skin cancer on her face and ear. A cancer-fighting cream was effective, but painful.

Cassidy: "The skin was very raw and red and it could not be covered with any makeup."

Researchers say that is common.

Dr. Tanya Oberyszyn, Ohio State University: "This is one of the cases where the treatment is worse than the disease."

In their search to lessen the discomfort, researchers mixed the cancer cream with Celebrex and found that it cut the pain and the tumors.

Oberyszyn: "They disappeared. We had 70-percent better effects with the combination of the two drugs."

It seems that Celebrex may not only turn out to be a wonder drug for skin cancer, but a much more serious disease. The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) is studying Celebrex's ability to control, if not prevent, breast and colon cancers.

How does Celebrex work? It blocks a certain enzyme that causes inflammation, which is why it's effective against arthritis.

NSABP, the international cancer research group, has found that the very same enzyme is involved in the development and growth of certain cancers. It is evaluating Celebrex to see if it can prevent the polyps that lead to colon cancer.

Dr. Lawrence Wickerham, associate director, NSABP: "The other study is in breast cancer patients, using Celebrex in combination with chemotherapy, with the hope that the Celebrex will improve the effectiveness of the chemotherapy."

The drug is approved for a relatively rare condition that causes multiple polyps and a high risk of colon cancer.

Wickerham: "Celebrex reduces the number of polyps and delays the necessity of colon surgery in many individuals."

Researchers also believe combining Celebrex with cancer cream kills existing skin cancer cells while preventing new lesions.

While prelimary results look good, a lot more research and testing is needed.