Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Aspirin Lowers Cancer Morality

by Sheela Philomena on August 11, 2012 at 9:12 AM
 Aspirin Lowers Cancer Morality

Aspirin reduces the overall cancer mortality, say researchers. The study has been August 10 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

A recent pooled analysis of randomized trials looking at the effects of daily aspirin use as a preventive measure for vascular events found a significant decrease in overall cancer mortality, of 37%, during a 5-year follow-up analysis, and 15% during a ten-year follow-up. Despite this finding, the effects of long-term daily aspirin use on cancer mortality remain largely unknown.

Advertisement

In order to determine the effects that long-term daily aspirin use has on overall cancer mortality, Eric J. Jacobs, Ph.D., of the Epidemiology Research Program at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta and colleagues looked at data on 100,139 men and women from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort who had no prior history of cancer and had been taking a daily dose of aspirin. They used follow-up questionnaires to investigate peoples' aspirin intake.

The researchers found that among 5,138 participants who died because of cancer, daily aspirin usage was linked with slightly lower cancer mortality and was unrelated to the length of daily use. "Our results are consistent with an association between recent daily aspirin use and modestly lower cancer mortality," the authors write. However, the estimated reduced risk of 16% was much lower than the 37% reduction seen during the five-year follow-up period in the pooled analysis. Still, the researchers write, "Even a relatively modest benefit with respect to overall cancer mortality could still meaningfully influence the balances of risk and benefits of prophylactic aspirin use."
Advertisement

The authors do point out a potential limitation of their study—namely that it was an observational study, not a randomized trial, so they could have either underestimated or overestimated the size of reduction in cancer mortality from aspirin usage because of confounding factors.

In an accompanying editorial, John A. Baron, M.D., of the Department of Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine writes that the findings of the study reinforce the idea that there is a link between daily aspirin use and reduced cancer mortality. "The drug clearly reduces the incidence and mortality from luminal gastrointestinal cancers, and it may similarly affect other cancers," he writes, and noted that the findings from the American Cancer Society study may be "conservative." However, he cautions that, "As for any preventative intervention, the benefits must be balanced against the risks, particularly when the benefits are delayed whereas the risks are not."

Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Drug News

Can This New Drug Cure Ebola by Targeting Replication?
Breakthrough research reveals potential drug target to hinder Ebola virus replication.
Accelerated FDA Approval of Resmetirom for the Treatment of  MASH/NASH
The FDA accelerated approval of Resmetirom for treating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), also known as Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
The Risks of Self-Prescribed Vitamin Supplements
Using daily vitamin supplements without medical guidance can harm your health, warn experts.
Understanding the Failure of Rabies Vaccine in Srishti Shinde's Case
Rabies vaccine failed for Srishti Shinde despite completing the course. Explore the reasons and prevention methods.
Aspirin Use in Older Adults for Heart Health — Weighing the Risk!
Poll reveals one-fourth of older adults take aspirin thrice weekly for heart attack and stroke prevention.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Aspirin Lowers Cancer Morality Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests