Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and aspirin use and the risk of head and neck cancer.

Evidence for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) preventing head and neck cancer (HNC) is inconclusive; however, there is some suggestion that aspirin may exert a protective effect. Using data from the United States National Cancer Institute Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, we examined the association between aspirin and ibuprofen use and HNC. Regular aspirin use was associated with a significant 22% reduction in HNC risk. No association was observed with regular ibuprofen use. Aspirin may have potential as a chemopreventive agent for HNC, but further investigation is warranted.