A common painkiller may be quietly changing cancer risk

Ibuprofen may be doing more than easing aches and pains—it could also help reduce the risk of some cancers. Studies have linked regular use to lower rates of endometrial and bowel cancer, likely because the drug dampens inflammation that fuels tumor growth. Researchers have even found it can interfere with genes cancer cells rely on to survive. Still, experts warn that long-term use carries risks and shouldn’t replace proven prevention strategies.