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NSAIDs May Result in Falsely Low PSA Readings

PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen is a marker for prostate enlargement and cancer. When levels increase significantly from year to year, it sends a red flag to the doctor that there may be problems with the prostate.

Common medications may interfere with this signal, however. Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are commonly used pain relievers. A group of urologists conducted biopsies in approximately 1,200 men and compared PSA levels. Aspirin takers had lower levels of PSA on their tests even though their prostates were of similar size.

The concern is that the anti-inflammatory drugs may lower PSA levels without affecting the underlying disease process. That could make it more difficult to detect prostate cancer.

[Journal of Urology, May 2009]
http://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(09)00053-6/abstract

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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