Frequent use of ibuprofen was linked to a reduced risk of endometrial cancer (EC), while aspirin offered no protective benefit, according to a large study published recently in the International Journal of Cancer.
These results may help guide future prevention strategies for a disease whose rates are increasing without major gains in survival.
“[I]buprofen may be effective in reducing EC risk, especially in women with a history of cardiovascular diseases,” explained this study’s authors. They continued, “It is a chemoprevention option worthy of further exploration.”
Researchers analyzed data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, which included 42,394 women aged 55 to 74 years. During a median follow-up of 12 years, 678 cases of EC were diagnosed. Women who reported taking 30 or more ibuprofen pills per month had a 25% lower risk of developing the disease compared with those who used fewer than four pills monthly.
The protective effect of ibuprofen was especially strong among women with a history of cardiovascular disease. In this group, heavy ibuprofen use was linked to a 43% lower risk of cancer. In contrast, aspirin did not appear to lower cancer risk regardless of frequency of use or health history.
Read more about signs and symptoms of EC
EC develops in the lining of the uterus and is one of the most common gynecologic cancers. Rising incidence and limited progress in survival rates highlight the need for preventive measures. While aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been studied for cancer prevention, results have been inconsistent. This new research strengthens the case for ibuprofen as a possible preventive option, although doctors caution that self-medicating is not recommended.
This study noted that people who regularly used ibuprofen or aspirin tended to be younger, more likely to smoke, and more likely to have obesity or a history of hormone therapy use. These differences emphasize the need for further research to untangle the effects of lifestyle and medication on cancer risk.
Scientists believe ibuprofen may work through several biological pathways, including reducing inflammation and interfering with cancer cell growth. Still, the exact reasons for its apparent protective effect remain unclear. Researchers stressed the importance of additional well-designed studies to confirm these findings before clinical recommendations can be made.
For patients, the takeaway is that ibuprofen may one day play a role in preventing EC, particularly for women already managing cardiovascular disease. However, current evidence is not sufficiently strong to support starting or increasing ibuprofen use without medical guidance.
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