Steroid sprays such as Pulmicort or Flovent are often used successfully to help management of COPD. A new study reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reports that they may lower risk of lung cancer in people living with COPD.
A study of 10,000 patients with COPD found that COPDer’s who used inhaled steroids regularly as directed, had a 60% decreased risk for lung cancer. Researchers suggested that the steroids might reduce both the inflammation in the airways and cell turnover which then reduces the risk of genetic errors that lead to the development of cancer cells.
