Three recently published studies support the evidence that aspirin can be an alternative for cancer risk reduction.
Taking low doses of aspirin helps prevent increased risk of cancer among middle aged people. Headed by Professor Peter Rothwell of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at Oxford University, the study concluded that taking low doses of aspirin can aide reduce cancer risks for aging people. In addition, they also found that aspirin can also treat cancer for those who already have it. However, the research suggests that the benefits of aspirin only kicks in after only two to three years.
Rothwell also found that aspirin can help reduce metastasis by up to 40 to 50 per cent - where cancer begins to spread to the other organs.
"No drug has been shown before to prevent...metastasis and so these findings should focus future research on this crucial aspect of treatment of patients with cancer that hasn't already spread," Rothwell stated.
Taking aspirin also entails risks. There is an increased risk of internal bleeding in the stomach. But the study showed that the incidence of internal bleeding decreased with prolonged use of the drug and that the risk of dying from it is minuscule.
Rothwell explained that in previous studies, researchers didn't take into consideration the severity or development of the effects of the drug over a long period of time.
For the study, Rothwell and his colleagues compared the effect of daily aspirin intake against not taking any aspirin.
The results were:
Although aspirin gives a lot of benefits, the Cancer Research UK stated that it is still not safe to advise people with cancer to take aspirin.
CRUK still needs more supporting evidences and facts about the drug's harmful and beneficial effects in treating cancer before they recommend it widely.
"If you do get the go ahead from your doctor then make sure you don't take aspirin on an empty stomach," says CRUK.
Taking low doses of aspirin helps prevent increased risk of cancer among middle aged people. Headed by Professor Peter Rothwell of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at Oxford University, the study concluded that taking low doses of aspirin can aide reduce cancer risks for aging people. In addition, they also found that aspirin can also treat cancer for those who already have it. However, the research suggests that the benefits of aspirin only kicks in after only two to three years.
Rothwell also found that aspirin can help reduce metastasis by up to 40 to 50 per cent - where cancer begins to spread to the other organs.
"No drug has been shown before to prevent...metastasis and so these findings should focus future research on this crucial aspect of treatment of patients with cancer that hasn't already spread," Rothwell stated.
Taking aspirin also entails risks. There is an increased risk of internal bleeding in the stomach. But the study showed that the incidence of internal bleeding decreased with prolonged use of the drug and that the risk of dying from it is minuscule.
Rothwell explained that in previous studies, researchers didn't take into consideration the severity or development of the effects of the drug over a long period of time.
For the study, Rothwell and his colleagues compared the effect of daily aspirin intake against not taking any aspirin.
The results were:
- Aspirin reduced the risk of death due to cancer by up to 37 per cent, which further increased with prolonged use.
- Daily dose of aspirin reduced the incidence rate of acquiring cancer. After 3 years of use, the reduction in cancer incidence was 23 per cent in men and 25 per cent in women.
- Continued use of aspirin reduced the risk of metastasis to other parts of the body. The reduced risk was 36 per cent over 6.5 years continued use.
- Aspirin intake also prevented the spread of cancer on the gut, colon, breasts and lungs.
Although aspirin gives a lot of benefits, the Cancer Research UK stated that it is still not safe to advise people with cancer to take aspirin.CRUK still needs more supporting evidences and facts about the drug's harmful and beneficial effects in treating cancer before they recommend it widely.
"If you do get the go ahead from your doctor then make sure you don't take aspirin on an empty stomach," says CRUK.
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