Aspirin may reduce risk of breast cancer by a fifth: study

London, Mar 7 (UNI) Drugs like aspirin can reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 20 per cent according to studies.

Scientists analysed 21 studies involving more than 37,000 women and found an overall decreased risk for women taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

However, the researchers cautioned that more studies were needed on the ideal type of drug, dose and duration before there was any big push to get women to take the drugs routinely.

Scientists also warned that more research was needed on whether any benefits outweighed side-effects in the long term.

"There may be a role for NSAIDs in combination with endocrine therapies as either an adjuvant or palliative treatment for women with established breast cancer." the Independent quoted scientists as saying.

Researchers discovered that they could play a role in treating women already diagnosed with breast cancer.

UNI XC NC PM1418