Aspirin a key cancer fighter
MILLIONS around the world take low-dose aspirin every day for heart health. In doing so, they may also slightly lower their risk of dying from several cancers, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that adults who regularly used aspirin were 7% to 11% less likely to die of cancer. The risks of dying from colon, breast, prostate and – for men – lung cancer were all lower among regular aspirin users, compared to non-users, the findings showed.
The findings add to evidence that aspirin has cancer-fighting abilities, the researchers said. But they said people should not start popping a daily aspirin in the hopes of avoiding cancer.
There is strong evidence, from research in general, that low-dose aspirin may lower the risk of colon cancer, said Dr Ernest Hawk, a professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Some medical authorities already recommend that certain older adults consider taking low-dose aspirin to curb their risk of colon cancer and heart disease. They advise that people in their fifties and sixties talk to their doctor about whether the benefits of daily aspirin outweigh the risks.
The study involved following 130 000 US health professionals for up to 32 years. They were asked about their aspirin use at the outset, and again every two years.
Nearly 13 000 study participants died of cancer, but the risks were somewhat lower for regular aspirin users, the study authors said.
The biggest difference was seen with colon cancer: aspirin users were about 30% less likely to die of the disease. In addition, women who used aspirin were 11% less likely to die of breast cancer, while men showed a 23% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer and a 14% lower risk of lung cancer death. – The New York Times