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Painkillers May Play Role in Prostate Cancer

Doctors unsure if drugs reduce risk—or merely make screening harder

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Sep 8, 2008 5:49 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Common pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen belong to a class of drugs that lowers protein levels doctors use to test for prostate cancer, the second-most-common cancer found in men. But researchers say it's not clear if the drugs are lowering the risk of developing the cancer or just making it harder to detect, Reuters reports.

It’s premature to take painkillers in the hope of lowering cancer risk, doctors say, but the drugs "could certainly change whether or not you would be referred for a biopsy.” Meanwhile, the routine screening test is being hotly debated for detecting harmless tumors that prompt unnecessary treatment. A study is being conducted to see if the test actually saves lives.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer found in men worldwide.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer found in men worldwide.   (AP Photo)
Men regularly taking drugs like Advil were seen to have lower levels of a protein that indicates prostate cancer, but it's unclear if they lower the risk or merely make detection harder.
Men regularly taking drugs like Advil were seen to have lower levels of a protein that indicates prostate cancer, but it's unclear if they lower the risk or merely make detection harder.   (AP Photo)
Aspirin and ibuprofen lower protein levels used by doctors to detect prostate cancer.
Aspirin and ibuprofen lower protein levels used by doctors to detect prostate cancer.   (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz)
Doctors caution against using painkillers in the hopes of reducing cancer risk since no link has been proven.
Doctors caution against using painkillers in the hopes of reducing cancer risk since no link has been proven.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)
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Study leaves researchers confused about effects
WebMD

Preliminary findings 'don't prove a link'
Science Daily

 
cancer • prostate cancer • painkiller • aspirin • cancer prevention • ibuprofen • men's health • Advil • Motrin • Aleve

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