Aspirin Reduces Cancer Risk

Daily consumption of a small amount of aspirin can reduce the risk of cancer. Researchers say that taking aspirin decreases the growth rate of colorectal and gastrointestinal tumors by three percent. This risk reduction only occurs if a small dose of aspirin is taken daily for at least six years. According to CBS News, this research does not indicate that aspirin prevents cancer, but rather reduces the risk of developing it. Dr. Andrew Chan, the lead researcher from Massachusetts General Hospital in the U.S., states, 'Cancers do not develop overnight; they often form over many years. Therefore, you need to take aspirin long-term to see results.' Dr. Chan adds, 'There is strong scientific evidence that aspirin affects some natural pathways that lead to cancer.' Aspirin reduces inflammation in internal organs and the levels of cancer-causing proteins. According to The New York Times, researchers say the evidence gathered so far indicates that aspirin is definitely effective in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, although daily aspirin use cannot yet be recommended for everyone. Researchers monitored over 130,000 men and women for 30 years. During this period, more than 20,000 women and 7,500 men from the study group developed cancer. However, women and men who consumed a small amount of aspirin two or more times a week had a three percent lower incidence of the disease compared to others. The risk of colorectal cancer in these individuals was 15 percent lower, and the risk of gastrointestinal cancers was 19 percent lower than those who did not take aspirin. However, aspirin did not affect the incidence of other cancers such as breast or lung cancer. While aspirin is recommended for individuals with heart disease and this new research shows it is effective in reducing the risk of gastrointestinal cancers, it may also have side effects such as stomach bleeding.