Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women, and that's why prevention is key.

Now, a new study suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs - the kind that most people keep in their medicine cabinets -- may play a role in reducing breast cancer risk.

"It's significant in that it would hopefully shed light on a relatively new area of cancer therapy" said Dr. Mahyar Etminan, the study's senior author

The study was spearheaded by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, and University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain

In the largest review of its kind, local researchers and those in Spain, analyzed data from 38 studies examining the link between anti-inflammatory drugs and breast cancer.

In the more than 2.7 million women involved, the researchers found:

Women who regularly took a class of drugs call NSAIDS ("non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs"), which are painkillers like celebrex, had a 12 per cent risk reduction for breast cancer.

Aspirin also reduced the risk by 13 per cent, and Advil -- or Ibuprofen -- had a 21 per cent lower risk rate.

"Many may think it is not strong but still it is a benefit and we think the results generate a strong hypothesis," said Dr. Etminan.

Inflammation is thought to produce certain enzymes called Cox 2, which may feed breast cancer tumours.

Drugs like Ibuprofen or Aspirin partially target these enzymes.

"What appears to be happening is the cox-2 agents are blocking the activation of those pathways,'' said Dr. Karen Gelmon of the BC Cancer Agency

Still, doctors are cautioning that women should not start taking these drugs as a preventative measure.

"No drug is without toxicity,'' said Dr. Gelmon. "I think what we have to look at carefully is which drug is going to be effective, what are the side effects, which trial do we have to do, which stage of breast cancer and then go forward,'' she said.

While the results are promising, more trials are needed to get a definitive answer on just what future role these painkillers could play in the battle against cancer.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low.