Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce inflammation, with notable benefits in increasing survival and reducing risk of several types of cancer; however, expert consensus is that the risks of harm from using these drugs long-term are greater than the benefits for prevention against cancer for many people.
How do experts use non-aspirin NSAIDs?
Both medical groups and integrative experts provide recommendations for non-aspirin NSAIDs in treating people with cancer in specific situations. Learn more about the approaches and meanings of recommendations: Integrative Oncology Programs and Expert Guidelines ›
Clinical practice guidelines
US Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) acknowledges benefits in certain high-risk groups but is against general use of non-aspirin NSAIDs for cancer prevention due to the risk of serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects.
Published protocols, programs, and approaches
Non-aspirin NSAIDs are used in programs, approaches, and protocolsa package of therapies combining and preferably integrating various therapies and practices into a cohesive design for care from these integrative oncologists, drawing from both scientific research and observations from years or even decades of treating people with cancer.
Keith Block, MD
Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Care. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009.
The integrative Block Program has recommendations to people who are at different places along the cancer continuum:
- Those who’ve been recently diagnosed
- Those in treatment
- Those who’ve concluded treatment and need to remain vigilant to prevent recurrence
Dr. Block prefers to get at the root of inflammation using diet and other non-drug approaches, but in certain situations, he uses celecoxib (Celebrex) to block the COX-2 enzyme, “since the inflammatory chemicals the enzyme spawns play a major role in blocking the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation.”
Raymond Chang, MD, FACP
Chang R. Beyond the Magic Bullet: The Anti-Cancer Cocktail. New York: Square One Publishers. 2012.
This book describes a “new therapy based on the knowledge that certain off-label drugs, nutrients, and therapies are each somewhat effective against cancer.” Dr. Chang combines approaches for added benefit.
Celecoxib is used as a COX-2 inhibitor.
Other expert assessments
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization includes ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and other brands) in their Model List of Essential Medicines, but not specifically for cancer.
Dosing
Dosage has not been standardized for use in cancer care, but recommendations are available from Pantziarka P, Sukhatme V, Bouche G, Meheus L, Sukhatme VP. Repurposing Drugs in Oncology (ReDO)-diclofenac as an anti-cancer agent. Ecancermedicalscience. 2016;10:610.
See studies cited for each cancer type in How can non-aspirin NSAIDs help you? What the research says › for doses used in those studies.