Painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen could lower a protein often used to determine if a person ...
Painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen could lower a protein often used to determine if a person is at risk of developing prostate cancer.
The study, conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Centre, found that levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in men over the age of 40 were 10% lower in those who regularly took the painkillers than in those who did not.
Dr Eric Singer, a urology resident at the centre, said that it was still too soon to determine if the painkillers, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), would be effective at reducing the risk of developing the disease or whether their use would mask diagnosis. He said the data was 'interesting' but that the study was limited and more research was needed.
They also warned against prolonged high doses of drugs, citing the risk of long-term side effects.
