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Study Suggests Painkillers May Cut Breast Cancer Risk

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 October 2008, 12:30 CDT

An international study is suggesting that regular use of common painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen could reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Examining information from 2.7 million women, the research showed aspirin cut the risk by 13%, while ibuprofen lowered it by a fifth.

But experts warned long-term use of painkillers could have serious side effects.

Many previous studies have tackled the role of painkillers in breast cancer, and the latest is a review of 38 of these, combining their results to give a more reliable picture.

Both aspirin and ibuprofen are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and it is their ability to interfere with inflammation in the human body which appears to be key.

COX1 and 2 are two body chemicals which help produce inflammation and are thought to play roles in the development of cancer by influencing how cells divide and die, the production of new blood vessels that can "feed" tumors, and influence the body's immune responses.

NSAIDS appear to inhibit these chemicals.

Those women observed taking either aspirin or ibuprofen regularly had a 12% lower chance of developing breast cancer compared to those who did not use them at all, while regular ibuprofen use appeared to have the biggest effect.

The results were encouraging and could help scientists trying to understand the complex origins of breast cancer, according to Dr. Mahyar Etminan, from the University of British Columbia, who led the research.

But he warned against women adopting painkillers as part of a cancer prevention lifestyle.

"We don't recommend the routine use of NSAIDs for breast cancer prevention until large randomized trials confirm these findings." He said results from a trial of this type would be available next year.

Using painkillers regularly can be problematic because, in some people, they can cause serious side effects, including stomach ulcers, increased risk of stroke, asthma and heart, liver and kidney problems.

Such side effects would have to be balanced against the potential benefits of reducing breast cancer risk.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer echoed the advice, urging women worried about breast cancer risk to talk to their GP rather than simply take painkillers.

"The potential of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, to lower the chances of developing breast cancer is very interesting, but as the researchers say, large scale trials are needed to confirm these findings,” Head of policy Sarah Rawlings said.

"Anti-inflammatory drugs can have potentially very serious side-effects when taken over a long period."

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On the Net:

• Breakthrough Breast Cancer
• Cancer Research UK
• Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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