Long-term users of NSAIDs halve their
risk of colon cancer compared with non-users, a large US study has found.Low doses
appeared to be as effective as higher doses and no specific NSAID stood out as offering
more protection than others, the study authors said in Archives of Internal Medicine
The study of more than 100,000 people older than 65 found people who had used
non-aspirin NSAIDs in the previous year had a lower risk of colon cancer than those with
no recent use.
Results showed the protective effect was more pronounced for right-sided cancers.
NSAIDs did not appear to have any significant effect on the incidence of rectal cancer.
"The protective effect of NSAIDs appeared to be dependent on continuous, long-term
use," the researchers said.
"Our analyses suggest ... the duration of use needed for protection is between one
and four years."
The opportunity to prevent colon cancer by dietary, nutritional or pharmaceutical
intervention was appealing, especially because screening was not widespread, the
researchers said.
However, they warned that the adverse effects of NSAIDS prohibited their routine use
for colon cancer prophylaxis.
"Usual doses of these non-aspirin NSAIDS have an adverse effect profile that makes
them unsuitable candidates for colon cancer prophylaxis in the patient with average
risk," they said.
Professor Graeme Young, professor of gastroenterology at SA's Flinders Medical Centre,
agreed it was too early to prescribe NSAIDs prophylactically for all patients because of
the side effects.
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