Analgesics Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk

Research studies have recently unearthed a new finding that analgesics not only relieve pain, but they also have an additional bonus benefit-they seem to reduce the serum PSA (prostate-specific antigens) echelons or biomarkers of risk of prostate cancer.

These analgesics include ibuprofen, aspirin and other NSAIDs as well as paracetamol or acetaminophen. While the NSAIDs which are widely consumed can lower PSA levels by 10%, paracetamol lowers PSA levels by a lower percentage because it is less widely consumed.

The effect of painkillers on the PSA serum levels vary on the basis of several factors such as age, body mass index, race, other inflammations, heart ailments and smoking habits.
However the research scientists have warned that men should not start consuming painkillers as an antidote to prostate cancer. Moreover it has not yet been established whether the analgesics actually cause diminishment of PSA levels to reduce prostate cancer risk. This is because a lower PSA level could mean that prostate inflammation has diminished without lowering cancer risk. PSA can indicate not only cancer but also prostate enlargement.

The discovery though, has provoked more investigations and research on this very interesting link between prostate cancer risk and painkillers.