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Low-dose aspirin helps cut colon cancer risk--research
by Deepika Garg - October 22, 2010 - comments
Colon cancer is the second most common form of cancer in developed countries after lung cancer, and low doses of aspirin may help a large number of people with the risk of developing the disease.
Aspirin, in small doses, can help cut the risk of colon cancer, a new study has found. British researchers reported that low doses of aspirin can reduce bowel cancer cases by a quarter and cut death rate from the disease by more than a third.
Aspirin has an anti-platelet effect and is widely used to help protect people against strokes and heart problems. Findings of the new study have “tipped the balance” in favor of taking the drug regularly, said the researchers.
Aspirin: benefits vs side effects
However, experts warn that side effects of the drug may make it unsuitable to be taken just as a preventive measure, on regular basis.
But a U.S. health task force recommends the drug for those at average risk of developing the disease.
To study the impact of small doses of aspirin, the researchers followed up four study trials, involving more than 14000 people, over a period of 20 years.
The trials were intended to study the protective effects of aspirin in cases of stroke and heart problems.
"There is a small benefit for vascular disease and now we know a big benefit for this cancer. In the future, I am sure it will be shown that aspirin helps prevent other cancers too," said Peter Rothwell, a professor at the University of Oxford and one of the study authors.
Study participants, who developed cancer were tracked through cancer registries and death certificates in Britain and Sweden, where the studies were done.
Aspirin cuts colon cancer risk
Colon cancer risk was found to have decreased by 24 percent in people who took a low dose of aspirin daily for about six years. Their risk of dying from the disease was found to be reduced by 35 percent.
Taking larger doses did not seem to provide any notable benefits, said the researchers, in the study published in 'The Lancet' medical journal.
Colon cancer is the second most common form of cancer in developed countries after lung cancer, and low doses of aspirin may help a large number of people with the risk of developing the disease.
Consult your doctor
However, nobody should start taking the drug without consulting his doctor. The researchers warned that in large doses and over a long period, aspirin may have serious side effects like irritation of the stomach, intestines and bowel, which may cause lesions and major bleeding.
“Anyone with any risk factors such as a family history (of colon cancer) or a previous polyp should definitely take aspirin,” said Peter Rothwell, a professor at the University of Oxford and one of the study authors.
“To date, for healthy middle-aged people it has been a fine balance as to whether to take aspirins, but this tips it in my view,” said Lead researcher Professor Peter Rothwell.
“There is a small benefit for vascular disease and now we know a big benefit for this cancer. In the future, I am sure it will be shown that aspirin helps prevent other cancers too.”