A national study conducted on 1,310 men, showed that, on average, those who took Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), had about a 10% lower level of Prostate-Specific Antigen (known as PSAs), a protein whose presence in a man’s bloodstream is used in tests for prostate cancer.

NSAIDs work to reduce pain by reducing tissue inflammation, which has been in the past linked with a number of illnesses, including prostate cancer. Therefore it is unclear to medics whether the results of the study mean that NSAIDs are reducing the risk of prostate cancer or whether they simply mask its presence by reducing PSA levels and thereby confusing tests.

Previous studies do show that men who take NSAIDs do tend to develop prostate cancer less often, and this would seem to confirm the study’s results. However medics do advise that the findings of this study be interpreted cautiously. Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society says "We should not take aspirin or NSAIDs as protection against prostate cancer."

Patient-doctor communication is advised, and, according to Dr. Lichtenfeld, "Doctors should ask patients about all their medications, prescription and over-the-counter, that conversation should always occur between health-care providers and their patients."

PSA is a protein which indicates immune system activity in the prostate, and high levels of it may indicate prostate cancer or other afflictions. Men over 50 and in some cases younger are advised to take annual PSA level tests in order to catch potential prostate cancer from its early onset.