A new study shows that one of the best ways we can prevent cancer is as simple as taking an aspirin every day.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London looked at data from a large number of studies and trials regarding aspirin and concluded that its use could dramatically reduce risk for certain kinds of cancer that occur in the digestive tract. Not only that, but an aspirin a day might also prevent deaths from the disease.
Researchers found that people aged 50 to 65 years old should consider taking 75mg of aspirin daily. This alone could reduce deaths from digestive tract cancers by up to 50 percent, if aspirin usage occurs daily over a course of five to 10 years.
However, daily aspirin usage often comes with side effects, including some that are serious. Taking aspirin long-term can increase risk of stomach bleeding, from 2.2 percent to 3.6 percent. This bleeding can sometimes be fatal. The risk of this kind of bleeding increases with age. Aspirin is also known to cause peptic ulcers, and daily usage can increase risk by as much as 60 percent.
It is important that anyone wishing to add a daily aspirin to their regimen ask their doctor first about any pre-existing medical conditions that might cause problems.
"Before aspirin can be recommended for cancer prevention, some important questions need to be answered, including what is the best dose and how long people should take it for," says Dr. Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK. "And tests need to be developed to predict who is likely to have side-effects."
However, researchers believe that the benefits of aspirin far outweigh the risks of dangerous side effects.
"Whilst there are some serious side effects that can't be ignored, taking aspirin daily looks to be the most important thing we can do to reduce cancer after stopping smoking and reducing obesity, and will probably be much easier to implement," says Professor Jack Cuzick, study lead.
How exactly does aspirin prevent cancer? Aspirin reduces inflammation, which prevents the body's cells from mutating into cancerous cells. Aspirin also thins the blood, which makes it harder for cancer to cling to platelets and be carried throughout the body.
Researchers point out that more research should follow in determining who can benefit the most from daily aspirin usage, as well as who is at most risk of side effects.
