Oct 20, 2025
3 min read
Ibuprofen is a household name, a cure for everything from headaches to period pains.But recent research suggests that this everyday medicine can do more than relieve discomfort.It may also have anti-cancer properties.
Ibuprofen: How a daily drug can protect against cancer
Ibuprofen is a household name.Everything from headaches to occasional pain relief.But recent research suggests that the daily medication may do more than relieve discomfort.It may have anti-cancer properties.
As researchers uncover more about the links between inflammation and cancer, the role of ibuprofen has come to the fore, raising intriguing questions about how something so familiar can provide unexpected protection.
Ibrofin belongs to the family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).The relationship between NSESIDS and cancer prevention is not new: ECPIL-related evidence in some countries dates back to 1983. Researchers can investigate whether these drugs can help prevent or treat other cancers.
NSAIDs work by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). There are two main types. COX-1 helps protect the stomach lining.Maintain kidney functionand plays a role in blood clotting. On the other hand, COX-2 causes inflammation.
Most NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, inhibit both, so doctors recommend taking them with food instead of on an empty stomach.
Ibuprofen and endometrial cancer
A 2025 study found that ibuprofen lowered the risk of endometrial cancer, the most common type of uterine cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and primarily affects women going through menopause.
One of the main risk factors to prevent endometrial cancer is being overweight or obese, because excess body fat increases estrogen levels - a hormone that can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
Other risk factors include older age, hormone replacement therapy (especially estrogen-only HRT), diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome.Early onset of menstruation, late menopause, or childlessness also increase the risk.Symptoms may include unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and discomfort during sexual intercourse.
In the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) study, data from more than 42,000 women aged 55-74 years were analyzed over 12 years.People who took at least 30 ibuprofen tablets per month had a 25% lower risk of endometrial cancer compared with people who took less than 4 ibuprofen tablets per month.This protective effect appears to be strongest among women with heart disease.
Interestingly, aspirin - another common NSAID - did not show the same association with reduced risk in this or other studies.That said, aspirin can help prevent colon cancer from coming back.
Other drugs, such as sodium carbamide, have been tested for colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.The effectiveness of these drugs appears to depend on the type of cancer, genetic makeup, and health conditions.
Broad spectrum ibuprofen
Ibuprofen's potential cancer prevention effects extend beyond endometrial cancer.Research suggests it may also reduce the risk of colon, breast, lung, and prostate cancer.
For example, people who have had bowel cancer in the past and take ibuprofen are less likely to have a recurrence.It also prevents colon cancer progression and survival, and some evidence also suggests a protective effect against lung cancer in smokers.
Inflammation is a hallmark of cancer, and ibuprofen is essentially an anti-inflammatory.By inhibiting the activity of the COX-2 enzyme, the drug reduces the production of prostaglandins, chemical messengers that promote inflammation and cell growth – including cancer cell growth.Low doses of prostaglandins can slow or stop tumor growth.
But that's only part of the story.Ibuprofen also appears to affect cancer-related genes such as HIF-1α, NFκB and STAT3, which help tumor cells survive in low-oxygen conditions and resist therapy.
Ibuprofen appears to reduce the activity of these genes, making cancer cells more vulnerable.It can change how DNA is encoded in cells, which can make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
Warning
But not all research points in the same direction.One study of 7,751 patients found aspirin use after diagnosis.
On the contrary, a new review found that NSAIDs may reduce the risk of many cancers - regular use of NSAIDs may increase the risk of kidney cancer.These conflicting results show how complex the interactions between inflammation, immunity, and cancer really are.
Despite the promise, experts warn against self-medicating with ibuprofen to prevent cancer.Long-term use or use of unexpected doses can cause serious side effects such as stomach ulcers, intestinal bleeding and kidney damage.
In rare cases, they can cause heart problems such as a heart attack or stroke.Non-AIDS users also use many medications, including Warfarin and other drugs, to increase the risk of bleeding and other complications.
The idea that a humble pain reliever could help prevent cancer is both intriguing and challenging.If future studies confirm these findings, ibuprofen may one day become part of a broader strategy to reduce cancer risk, particularly in high-risk groups.
For now, experts agree to focus on lifestyle-based prevention: eating healthy, staying physically fit.
Everyday drugs may still hold surprising promise, but until the science is settled, the safest recipe for cancer prevention remains the oldest: eat well, exercise often and listen to your doctor before you reach for the pill bottle.
This article is taken from a discussion under a Creative Commons license.Read the original article.
