Scientists
at Harvard University say that the world’s most multitasking drug can lower the
overall risk of
having cancer. They claim that the regular use of aspirin reduces
the risk of cancer in general by 3%, primarily due to its effects on
colorectal cancer and other tumours of the gastrointestinal tract.
According to JAMA Oncology,
research shows that the regular use of aspirin reduces the risk of
colorectal cancer by 19 percent, and the risk of any gastrointestinal
cancer by 15 percent.
"We now can recommend that many individuals
consider taking aspirin to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer –
particularly those with other reasons for regular use, such as heart
disease prevention – but we are not at a point where we can make a
general recommendation for overall cancer prevention," said epidemiologist and gastroenterologist Andrew Chan from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Our
findings imply that aspirin use would be expected to prevent a
significant number of colorectal cancers above and beyond those that
would be prevented by screening and may have even greater benefit in
settings in which the resources to devote to cancer screening are
lacking."
"At this point, it would be
very reasonable for individuals to discuss with their physicians the
advisability of taking aspirin to prevent gastrointestinal cancer,
particularly if they have risk factors such as a family history," said Chan.
"But this should be done with the caveat that patients be well
informed about the potential side effects of regular aspirin treatment
and continue their regular screening tests. Furthermore, aspirin should
not be viewed as a substitute for colonoscopy or other cancer screening
tests."
Pulse/ng
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