Celecoxib in Preventing Skin Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Fitzpatrick type I-IV skin
* No history of photosensitivity (e.g., systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus, polymorphous light eruption, or photocontact dermatitis)
* No history of abnormal tanning responses or other unusual reactions to natural or artificial light sources
* Willing to wear sun-protective clothing and SPF 15-49 sunscreen
* Willing and able to restrict the frequency of high ultraviolet-exposure activities (e.g., exposure to sunlight, tanning boxes, or other artificial light sources)
* No history of keloid formation

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 20 to 60

Performance status:

* Not specified

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* WBC ≥ 3,500/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin ≥ 12.0 g/dL
* No bleeding disorder

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin ≤ 20% above upper limit of normal (ULN)
* AST and ALT ≤ 20% above ULN
* No chronic or acute hepatic disease

Renal:

* Creatinine ≤ 20% above ULN
* No chronic or acute renal disease

Gastrointestinal:

* No active gastrointestinal disease (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease)
* No pancreatic disease
* No esophageal, gastric, pyloric channel, or duodenal ulceration

Other:

* No invasive cancer except nonmelanoma skin cancer cured by excision or stage I cervical cancer
* No hypersensitivity or adverse reactions to NSAIDs, salicylates, cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, or sulfonamides
* No condition that would preclude the use of NSAIDs
* No clinically significant laboratory abnormalities
* No medical or psychosocial condition that would preclude study participation
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile participants must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* No concurrent chemo-immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

* See Biologic therapy
* At least 1 year since prior chemotherapy, including topical fluorouracil

Endocrine therapy:

* At least 2 weeks since prior topical glucocorticoids
* At least 30 days since prior systemic corticosteroids
* No concurrent systemic glucocorticoids (inhaled corticosteroids allowed)
* No concurrent topical corticosteroids
* No concurrent hormonal therapy
* Hormone replacement (e.g., estrogen or thyroid replacement) allowed

Radiotherapy:

* No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

* Not specified

Other:

* At least 14 days since prior aspirin (\> 100 mg/day) or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken at least 3 times per week
* At least 2 weeks since prior topical alpha hydroxy acids (e.g., glycolic acid or lactic acid)
* At least 6 months since prior oral retinoids (3 months for topical retinoids to the face)
* At least 30 days since prior treatment for esophageal, gastric, pyloric channel, or duodenal ulceration
* At least 30 days since prior investigational medication
* No other concurrent investigational medication
* No concurrent topical vitamin A derivatives and/or alpha hydroxy acids
* No concurrent immunosuppressive drugs
* No concurrent topical medication to the skin, including prescription and over-the-counter preparations (moisturizers and emollients allowed)
* No concurrent lithium, fluconazole, or warfarin
* No concurrent chronic NSAIDs (\> 3 times per week for \> 2 consecutive weeks per year)
* Concurrent cardioprotective doses of aspirin (≤ 100 mg/day) allowed
* Concurrent acetaminophen allowed
* No concurrent green tea consumption of \> 2 cups per day