Regular adult aspirin use decreases the risk of non-small cell lung cancer among women.
BACKGROUND
Prior studies indicate that use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is associated with a decreased risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, results have been contradictory in part because of variation in study design. Few studies have examined the use of aspirin or other NSAIDs on risk of NSCLC in women.


METHODS
Through a case-control study of African American and Caucasian women with and without NSCLC, we examined the relationship between use of aspirin, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen and risk of NSCLC. Risk was estimated by calculating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ever/never use, duration of use, and duration of use category (never, 1-5 years, >5 years) after adjusting for major risk factors for lung cancer. Risk estimates were stratified by race, age, smoking history, and body mass index.


RESULTS
Every use of adult-strength aspirin was associated with a significant reduction in risk of NSCLC (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.94). Additionally, there was a significant trend toward a reduced risk of NSCLC in adult-strength aspirin users with increasing duration of use (P(trend) = 0.02). In stratified analyses, aspirin use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of lung cancer among Caucasians and 55- to 64-year-olds. Baby aspirin and NSAID use was associated with a significant reduction in risk of NSCLC only among 65- to 74-year-olds.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that long-term use of adult-strength aspirin may reduce the risk of NSCLC in women.
Van Dyke
Alison L
AL
Cancer Biology Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. avandyk@med.wayne.edu
Cote
Michele L
ML
Prysak
Geoffrey
G
Claeys
Gina B
GB
Wenzlaff
Angie S
AS
Schwartz
Ann G
AG
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018426:SEER Program; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin