Aspirin, the next cure for breast cancer: Researchers

Pop a pill of aspirin and the pain is gone. Well, all of us know the analgesic properties of this anti-inflammatory drug. But it is also a potential anti-dote to breast cancer.

That’s what researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Centre discovered recently. During the clinical trials they found out that the familiar pain killer's, so far, undiscovered potential to destroy the cancerous cells that cause breast cancer.

“Studies conducted in India by Tata Memorial Hospital have shown that aspirin has worked favourably in arresting cancer. Tests showed that the use of this tablet leads to reducing can reduce the size of tumours,” said Dr Sai Ram, oncologist of MNJ Cancer Institute. “However, the drug's side-effects in terms of gastro-intestinal bleeding in some cases should also be taken in view before approving it for medication,” he warned.

So far women taking aspirin to avoid heart attacks have been found less prone to breast cancer. Incidentally, it is the second most common cancer affecting women in general in India. In fact, it is also the common cancer affecting women living in urban India.

According Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there are 100, 000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year in India. The risk of developing breast cancer is stated to be 1 in 22 women in urban India. Dr Nikhil Ghadyalpatil, medical oncologist at Yashoda Hospital says, “So far, intake of aspirin has shown favourable results but it will take another decade to confirm whether it can be

to accepted as a line of treatment as its present trials were carried on among a very small number of patients.” Breast cancer is found among women who consume a lot of red meat, saturated fats and unhealthy diet. There are also genetic reasons and also hormonal reasons for this cancer in woman, experts said. Late marriages, no breast feeding, first pregnancy after 30 years of age and obesity are some of the causes of breast cancer. It usually strikes women after 50 years of age but, in India, women as early as 40 can also suffer from breast cancer. Doctors strongly recommend mammography test for women after 35 years of age. Dr Mohana Vamsi, surgical oncologist at Omega Hospitals says the results of aspirin can only be accepted provided trials are conducted on a large number of women.