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PAINKILLERS taken by millions each year may slash the risk of dying from bowel cancer. A study found older women who use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for at least 10 years are less likely to die from the disease. Taking the over-the-counter pills regularly was found to lower the risk by 30 per cent. NSAIDs, which include the popular headache pill ibuprofen, have already been shown to help prevent breast cancer. The new study was presented at a conference organised by the American Association for Cancer Research. Nearly 18,000 women a year are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Britain and it kills 7,500. Dr Kat Arney, of Cancer Research UK, said the study “adds weight” to existing research suggesting that some types of common painkiller may help to cut cancer risk. But she added: “It’s still not clear exactly what doses work best.“It’s also important to remember that these drugs can have serious side effects.”