Can Aspirin Help Prevent Cancer?

In the United States, millions of adults take aspirin to reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke. But studies over the last 20 years have suggested that regular use of aspirin may have another important benefit for reducing the risk of developing or dying from some types of cancer. A new study shows aspirin may reduce the recurrence of breast cancer. According to recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past and regularly took aspirin (2 to 5 times a week) can reduce their risk of dying from recurrent breast cancer.

There are implications that aspirin can have an effect on colorectal cancer as well, and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends the daily use of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer for adults aged 50–59 years who are at high cardiovascular risk and low risk of bleeding who are willing to take aspirin for 10 years.

Cancer researchers are continuing to investigate aspirin’s potential role in cancer prevention and that research should help to better clarify who might benefit from aspirin but this can only come from data analyzed from long-term studies. Read More