Association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and the incidence of pancreatic cancer

J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002 Aug 7;94(15):1168-71. doi: 10.1093/jnci/94.15.1168.

Abstract

Laboratory studies indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may inhibit pancreatic cancer, but epidemiologic data to support this finding are limited. We conducted a prospective study from 1992 through 1999 among 28 283 postmenopausal women who lived in Iowa to examine the association between the self-reported use of aspirin and other NSAIDs and the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Eighty incident cases of pancreatic cancer were identified during 7 years of follow-up. The multivariate-adjusted relative risk of pancreatic cancer associated with any current use of aspirin versus no use was 0.57 (95% confidence interval = 0.36 to 0.90). There was a trend of decreasing risk of pancreatic cancer incidence with increasing frequency of aspirin use per week (P(trend) =.005). Nonaspirin NSAID use was not associated with incident pancreatic cancer. These data indicate that aspirin might be chemopreventive for pancreatic cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aspirin / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Aspirin