Colorectal Cancer
Frequently Asked Questions
23. Are there any drugs available that can help prevent colorectal cancer?
Scientists are doing research on chemoprevention -- the use of drugs to prevent cancer from developing in the first place. For example, researchers have found that anti-inflammatory drugs helped keep intestinal tumors from forming, but serious side effects have been noted so researchers are proceeding cautiously.
Studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can keep large bowel polyps from forming. Bowel polyps can start out benign, or non-cancerous, but can become cancerous. Serious cardiac effects of these drugs have been noted so researchers are also proceeding cautiously in recommending these drugs for prevention.
