The cause of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is largely unknown, although a recent study suggests use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might play a role in the onset of the disease.
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The family of NSAIDs includes several common over-the-counter medications, like aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Some people use at least one of these drugs several times a week, according to the Chiropractic Association of SA.
Study methodology and results
This study evaluated the association between NSAID use and lymphoma risk in 27 290 postmenopausal women, using questionnaire data and a state cancer registry to calculate risks.
Compared with women who did not use NSAIDs at all, women who used either aspirin exclusively or aspirin and another type of NSAID had a greater risk of developing NHL.
If you reach for the medicine cabinet for a pain-reliever and/or anti-inflammatory medication several times a week, you're among the millions who do so. However, potential danger could be involved.
Lymphatic system facts
We all have lymph nodes - pea-sized glands that are most noticeable in the neck, armpits and groin. Lymph nodes are an important part of the lymphatic system, which is the body's natural defense against infection and disease.
When cancer strikes this system, it is known as either Hodgkin's disease (named after the doctor who first described it) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), of which there are approximately 20 different forms.
Always talk to your doctor before taking any medication - even the over-the-counter variety, the Chiropractic Association of SA suggests.
The study was published in the June 2003 issue of the International Journal of Cancer. – (Health24)
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