Ibuprofen may reduce lung cancer risk in people who smoke

Smoking is the most important cause of lung cancer. Research shows smokers have a 30-fold greater risk of developing it. Recent studies found that chronic inflammation increases lung cancer risk. At the December 2016 meeting, the 17th World Conference on Lung Cancer, a study reported that ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), reduced the risk of death from lung cancer in smokers.

The research collected information from 10735 participants about smoking, ibuprofen or other NSAID use and lifestyle. Participants were followed for 18 years, with deaths examined through 2006.

According to the results:

• 269 people died from lung cancer. Among those dying from lung cancer, 252 smoked; thus %93.6 of those developing lung cancer were smokers.
• Researchers also investigated NSAID effects in 5.882 participants who smoked.
• Among former and current smokers, regular ibuprofen users were found to have a % 48 lower risk of death from lung cancer.
• However, no association was found between aspirin, another NSAID, and reduced lung cancer mortality.

What do these results mean clinically?

• Smoking is indisputably the most important preventable cause of lung cancer. The best prevention is to quit smoking and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• This is an important study suggesting that regular ibuprofen use might protect high-risk smokers against cancer. However, always consult your doctor before taking ibuprofen to avoid serious health risks.