By David Liu, PHD

Friday Oct 12, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for whatever purpose does not seem to reduce risk of  lung cancer, according to a study recently released in Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

T. M. Brasky of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Cancer Prevention Program in Seattle, Washington and colleagues conducted the study and found using NSAIDs prior to diagnosis did not reduce risk of death from the disease.

Using low dose of aspirin 4 times per week for more than 4 years and using any nonaspirin NSAIDs, and high use of  ibuprofen was associated with 11, 20 and 62 percent increased risk of lung cancer death, respectively.

It was thought that taking NSAIDs may help prevent or reduce risk of death from lung cancer because NSAIDs relieve inflammation, which is important for lung oncogenesis and its us has been linked to improved colorectal cancer survival.

For the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort study, researchers identified 785 lung cancer patients of the cohort aged 50 to 76 years from baseline through 2007 from a population based cancer registry and followed for lung cancer death through 2009.

Patients completed a questionnaire at baseline between 2000 and 2002 to give researchers information on the frequency and duration of use of individual NSAIDs in the past 10 years.  During the follow-up, 522 patients died from lung cancer.

Compared with patients who did not use any NSAIDs, those who took regular strength aspirin or low-dose aspirin 4 or more days per week for 4 or more years prior to diagnosis were at 1 percent reduced or 11 percent increased risk of lung cancer death, respectively.  

Taking total nonaspirin NSAIDs was linked to 20 percent increased risk for lung cancer death.  And high use of ibuprofen was correlated with a 62 percent increased risk of dying from lung cancer, compared with those who did not take any.

The researchers concluded "Long-term, prediagnostic NSAID use does not improve lung cancer survival overall. Use of ibuprofen may reduce survival from lung cancer. Our results underscore the need for further study of the mechanisms of action for individual NSAIDs with regard to cancer survival."

Lung cancer is expected to be diagnosed in about 226,160 men and women in 2012 in the United States and the disease is highly lethal, killing 160,340 in 2012 in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute.

The major risk factors for lung cancer is tobacco smoking, passive smoking, asbestos exposure, and radon exposure.  Looking at some great articles can be useful if you think you are at risk for or do any of these activities.  Exposure to diesel exhaust, eating red meat, and drinking alcohol may also increase the risk.

What a person eats may also have some impact on the risk of lung cancer.   Studies show that taking omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), vitamin C, vitamin D, and B-vitamins may help prevent or treat the disease.  Soy food may also help nonsmokers prevent the disease.

A case study reported by University of Nevada researchers says a gentleman aged 70 years refused to receive any conventional treatment for his lung cancer and opted to try a nutritional therapy.   He used 15 grams of DHA along with balanced nutrients and also reduced intake of omega 6 fatty acids by not using corn and soy bean oil.  In six months or so, his lung cancer disappeared.