Use of Painkillers in Control of Breast Cancer
An international study has published findings that 'regular' use of painkillers (namely Asprin and Ibuprofen, both NSAIDs) has proven to be beneficial in breast cancer prevention. It is thought that an NSAID drugs ability to act on inflammation in the body is the key factor in helping to keep a cancer at bay.
However, NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often produce their own side-effects when used long term. These side-effects are potentially very dangerous and include: asthma, kidney problems and stomach ulcers/bleeding. Recent statistics from the Cancer Research UK state that around 125 women a day are diagnosed with breast cancer and that the incidence rate in the UK has risen by 13%. There does not appear to have been any recent in-depth research in to deaths through long term usage of anti-inflammatories, although several small studies over the years have shown there to be around 2500 deaths per year from patients using these drugs on a regular basis i.e. daily for 2 months plus.
Families such as mine where I am the only female in my immediate line not to have been diagnosed with breast cancer, look at new research data with a hunger for information. And where does this type of research leave me? For me it is not that easy a decision. I must factor in to any choice I make the fact that my younger sister regularly took painkillers including Ibuprofen for many years, right up till she was diagnosed at 38 years of age with breast cancer. Painkillers did not help her to combat this disease and she sadly died in 1994 aged 44 years.
For other women, and indeed men, who have a high cancer risk though family history or other genetic issues, if NSAIDs are indeed the key to cancer prevention then they too may have difficult decisions to make - balancing the taking of NSAIDs for cancer prevention against the risk of death through a stomach bleed.
However, NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often produce their own side-effects when used long term. These side-effects are potentially very dangerous and include: asthma, kidney problems and stomach ulcers/bleeding. Recent statistics from the Cancer Research UK state that around 125 women a day are diagnosed with breast cancer and that the incidence rate in the UK has risen by 13%. There does not appear to have been any recent in-depth research in to deaths through long term usage of anti-inflammatories, although several small studies over the years have shown there to be around 2500 deaths per year from patients using these drugs on a regular basis i.e. daily for 2 months plus.
Families such as mine where I am the only female in my immediate line not to have been diagnosed with breast cancer, look at new research data with a hunger for information. And where does this type of research leave me? For me it is not that easy a decision. I must factor in to any choice I make the fact that my younger sister regularly took painkillers including Ibuprofen for many years, right up till she was diagnosed at 38 years of age with breast cancer. Painkillers did not help her to combat this disease and she sadly died in 1994 aged 44 years.
For other women, and indeed men, who have a high cancer risk though family history or other genetic issues, if NSAIDs are indeed the key to cancer prevention then they too may have difficult decisions to make - balancing the taking of NSAIDs for cancer prevention against the risk of death through a stomach bleed.
posted by Unknown at 10/08/2008 11:25:00 am
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