Aspirin may reduce risk of some cancers
DEAR DOCTOR: I see news stories about the benefits of daily aspirin, like linking it to a lower risk of cancer. Just how healthy is aspirin?
DEAR READER: We’ve long known that aspirin can reduce the chances of heart attack and strokes in people at high risk for the conditions. Studies on those benefits provided the first inklings of a decreased risk of cancer, especially colon cancer. One of the earliest assessments of aspirin’s impact on cancer came from the Women’s Health Study. Initially, researchers found little difference in the rates of breast, lung and many other cancers, but after 10 years, they found a 20 percent reduction in the rate of colon cancer among those taking aspirin. The decrease of colon cancer was even greater among women who continued taking aspirin in a 7.5year follow-up period.
A 2016 study assessed aspirin use among patients in two large ongoing studies: the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Those who used aspirin two or more times per week, in either regular or “baby aspirin”
doses, had a 19 percent reduction in colon cancer and a 15 percent reduction in stomach and esophageal cancers.
Further, the decrease in colon cancer rates became significant only after five years of taking aspirin. The authors note that the population in these two studies was predominantly Caucasian and so may not be applicable to other races.
Overall, the data point to a 20 percent reduction in colorectal cancer risk with the regular use of aspirin — specifically 81 milligrams every other day — but the numbers for other cancers are not convincing.
Be aware, however, of the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. If you’ve had an ulcer or stomach problems with aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in the past, daily aspirin use is not for you.