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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Its often said people should take an aspirin a day for their health. But while aspirin may help your heart, new research reveals it could throw off a prostate cancer-screening test.
Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center conducted the study. They compared blood PSA levels and use of aspirin or ibuprofen in a large group of men in the U.S. PSA is prostate specific antigen and is used as a biomarker to detect prostate cancer.
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Study authors say they found men who regularly take aspirin or ibuprofen had PSA levels approximately 10 percent lower compared to men who did not take these drugs. Investigators suggest that taking these drugs regularly may reduce serum PSA levels. It is still unclear if this will impact the development and detection of prostate cancer.
Researchers conclude that given the widespread use of aspirin or ibuprofen on a daily basis and the regular use of PSA for the assessment of prostate cancer, this association warrants further investigation to determine if the use of aspirin is masking the detection of prostate cancer.
SOURCE: Published online in the journal, Cancer on September 8, 2008
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