Perceived Benefits and Risk of NSAIDs in Relation to Its Association with Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to treat fever and pain. Apart from its medicinal benefits, it is also well known for its numerous side effects, including myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, renal failure, etc. Even beside these side effects NSAIDs are believed to play a major role in cancer. Though there are contrary of being inducing or preventive reason for cancer. Many studies shows NSAIDs are associated with the increasing risk of cancer. While as in various studies these drugs also have been investigated for their anti-cancer property as chronic inflammation has direct association with carcinogenesis. This review enlights the role of NSAIDs in cancer promotion and cancer prevention, connection between chronic inflammation and cancer, and some of the potentially lethal side effects of these drugs.