An asprin a day to prevent cancer?

Doc

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Site Supporter
New studies do give hope that asprin might truly be the wonder drug. :wow:



Can an aspirin a day keep cancer away?

......

“It is not entirely clear how aspirin works to prevent colorectal cancer and possibly other cancers,” Jacobs said. “These recent studies are finding apparent effects at very low doses that suggest the effects of aspirin on platelets may be important for cancer. Platelets are affected by very low doses of aspirin.”

Although daily aspirin has some promising benefits, it can also raise the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Even low doses of aspirin can increase risk of stomach bleeding,” Jacobs said. “Low doses can help prevent heart attacks because they stop the platelets from sticking together and causing clots. They can, even in low doses, increase the risk of bleeding.”

Before popping aspirin for the sake of cancer prevention, Jacobs warned that a person should consult his or her doctors.

“It’s a balance of the overall risk and overall benefits,” he said.

The second article published in the Lancet indicated that aspirin could affect how cancer grows and spreads. The authors collected data from five studies totaling 17,285 patients in the United Kingdom.

The people in the experiment group took daily aspirin (less than 75 mg). The study found the aspirin reduced risk in cancers in the colon, lung and prostate by 46%, and other cancers, such as those in the bladder and kidney, by 18%.

“Allocation to aspirin reduced the incidence of new cancers during the trials,” wrote the researchers.

The third study published in Lancet Oncology observed the same effect from aspirin when the authors examined observational studies instead of trials. The results of the observational studies were 38% reduced risk of colorectal cancer among aspirin users.

In an accompanying commentary entitled, “Are we ready to recommend aspirin for cancer prevention?” two doctors commenting on the study wrote: “This finding was the first convincing evidence that aspirin might prevent death from several cancers, thereby widening its potential population-wide effect.”

Entire article: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/21/can-an-aspirin-a-day-keep-cancer-away/?hpt=hp_t3

 

rickismom

Low Carb Home Cook
Site Supporter
I have a heart valve problem so I've been taking low dose aspirin for years in order to prevent stroke. I do believe it is a wonder drug!
 

Doc

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Site Supporter
I've been taking a low does asprin daily for years also. Now I'm extra glad I've gotten in the habit.
 
Top