One aspirin per week could slash cancer risk by 40 per cent, study finds
Everyday painkiller reduces the risk of developing digestive tract cancers, researchers find
Taking aspirin once a week could cut the risk of developing some cancers by nearly 40 per cent, a new study has found.
Aspirin has previously been linked to a reduction in the risk of bowel cancer, but new research shows the power of the everyday painkiller may stretch to other digestive tract cancers - including throat, esophageal, stomach and intestinal.
Scientists looked at evidence from 113 studies investigating various digestive cancers. The results showed regular use of aspirin - defined as taking one or two tablets a week - was linked to a significant reduction in the risk of developing all but one cancer.
The drug reduced the risk of developing cancer of the gastric cardia (the part of the stomach that connects to the oesophagus) and hepato-biliary (liver, gallbladder and bile ducts) by 39 per cent.
Bowel cancer was lowered by more than a quarter, oesophageal cancer by more than a third, stomach cancer by 36 per cent and pancreatic cancer by 22 per cent. Studies of head and neck cancer did not show a significant reduction in risk.
Aspirin has previously been linked to a reduction in the risk of bowel cancer, but new research shows the power of the everyday painkiller may stretch to other digestive tract cancers - including throat, esophageal, stomach and intestinal.
Scientists looked at evidence from 113 studies investigating various digestive cancers. The results showed regular use of aspirin - defined as taking one or two tablets a week - was linked to a significant reduction in the risk of developing all but one cancer.
The drug reduced the risk of developing cancer of the gastric cardia (the part of the stomach that connects to the oesophagus) and hepato-biliary (liver, gallbladder and bile ducts) by 39 per cent.
Bowel cancer was lowered by more than a quarter, oesophageal cancer by more than a third, stomach cancer by 36 per cent and pancreatic cancer by 22 per cent. Studies of head and neck cancer did not show a significant reduction in risk.
The team also analysed the effect of aspirin dose and duration on
bowel cancer. A high daily dose (500 milligrams) could halve the risk of
developing bowel cancer with the effects lasting a decade, the
researchers found.
The study - the largest and most comprehensive analysis of the link between aspirin and digestive cancers to date - was published in the journal Annals of Oncology.
Dr Carlo La Vecchia, senior author from the University of Milan, said: "The findings for pancreatic and other digestive tract cancers may have implications for the prevention of these highly lethal diseases.
"People who are at high risk of the disease are most likely to gain the greatest benefits from aspirin."
The authors advise people to consult a doctor before taking aspirin for the prevention of cancer due to potential complications.
The study - the largest and most comprehensive analysis of the link between aspirin and digestive cancers to date - was published in the journal Annals of Oncology.
Dr Carlo La Vecchia, senior author from the University of Milan, said: "The findings for pancreatic and other digestive tract cancers may have implications for the prevention of these highly lethal diseases.
"People who are at high risk of the disease are most likely to gain the greatest benefits from aspirin."
The authors advise people to consult a doctor before taking aspirin for the prevention of cancer due to potential complications.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/15/one-aspirin-per-week-could-slash-cancer-risk-40-per-cent-study/?WT.mc_id=e_DM1235800&WT.tsrc=email&etype=Edi_FAM_New_ES&utmsource=email&utm_medium=Edi_FAM_New_ES20200416&utm_campaign=DM1235800
