Researchers carried out a meta-analysis of 38 relevant studies carried out in 5 different countries and involving 2.7 million women to examine the association between NSAID use and breast cancer.
The combining results from all 38 studies show that the use of NSAIDs was associated with a 12% reduction in risk of breast cancer. Analysis of all studies examining aspirin use only found a 13% reduction in the risk while the ibuprofen analysis found a 21% reduction in the risk of breast cancer. The authors conclude that there was an overall decreased risk of breast cancer with NSAID use.
Critics say that the use of aspirin and ibuprofen is not without risk in themselves and warn that long-term use of these painkillers would have serious side effects.
Source: Takkouche B, Regueira-Méndez C, Etminan M. Breast Cancer and Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: A Meta-analysis. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2008; Oct 7 [Epub ahead of print]
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