Daily aspirin could keep cancer away

Taking aspirin daily could significantly reduce the risk of developing major cancers of the digestive system, but more research is needed to determine the dosage and duration of treatment. Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) researchers have reviewed all the available studies and clinical trials assessing the pros and cons of taking the over-the-counter drug and concluded that if everyone aged between 50-65 started taking aspirin daily for at least 10 years, there would be a 9% reduction in the number of cancers, strokes and heart attacks overall in men and around 7% in women. The research, published in Annals of Oncology, found the total number of deaths from any cause would be about 4% lower over a 20-year period. Taking the medication for 10 years could cut bowel cancer cases by 35%, and deaths by 40%. Rates of stomach and oesophageal cancers could be cut by 30% and deaths by 35-40%. It suggests people need to begin taking a daily dose of 75-100mg for at least five years and probably 10 years between the ages of 50 and 65 to reap any benefits. Although no benefit was seen within the first three years, some were sustained for several years after cessation. "It has long been known that aspirin – one of the cheapest and most common drugs on the market – can protect against certain types of cancer. But until our study, where we analysed all the available evidence, it was unclear whether the pros of taking aspirin outweighed the cons,” said Professor Jack Cuzick from QMUL. "Whilst there are some serious side effects that can't be ignored, taking aspirin daily looks to be the most important thing we can do to reduce cancer after stopping smoking and reducing obesity, and will probably be much easier to implement." Cancer Research UK – who funded the study – is warning that people should talk to their GP before embarking on a 10-year course of aspirin. For every 1,000 people over 60 who follow the advice, 17 lives will be saved by preventing cancer and heart attacks, they say, but 2-3 deaths will be caused by strokes, bleeding and ulcers. Amongst 60-year-olds who take daily aspirin for 10 years, the risk of bleeding increases from 2.2% to 3.6%, and that this could be life threatening in a very small proportion of people. "The risk of bleeding depends on a number of known factors which people need to be aware of before starting regular aspirin and it would be advisable to consult with a doctor before embarking on daily medication" said Cuzick CRUK and QMUL say that more research is needed to determine the exact dosage to take and for how long, and to identify those who shouldn’t take it because they have an increased risk of bleeding of the digestive tract. Estimates of benefits and harms of prophylactic use of aspirin in the general population More information Aspirin and cancer – not quite but nearly