Aspirin may stop spread of cancer, say studies

EVIDENCE CONTINUES to grow that taking aspirin daily can help prevent cancer and possibly even treat it. Findings from three new studies point to reduced cancer risks and help in stopping cancers from spreading.

Two studies are published this morning in the Lancet and one in Lancet Oncology, all three from Prof Peter Rothwell of Oxford and colleagues. They showed that the level of benefit changed over time, with greater risk reduction the longer aspirin had been taken.

The first study looked at daily aspirin versus no aspirin in the treatment of cardiovascular disease with data from 51 randomised trials. It showed a 15 per cent reduction in cancer death for those taking the aspirin. This benefit rose to about 25 per cent for those on aspirin for three years and improved still further to 37 per cent for those on aspirin for five years or longer.

These findings echoed a study released last year by Mayo Clinic researchers who looked at 904 pancreatic cancer patients. Taking the painkiller once a month lowered pancreatic cancer risk by 26 per cent and more regular intake pushed this to 35 per cent.

Aspirin also seems able to interfere in the way that cancers spread. This study looked at data from five large randomised trials of daily aspirin versus controls.

The research showed a 36 per cent lower risk of longer-term spreading of the disease. Common cancers, including colon, lung and prostate, saw a 46 per cent reduced risk, while less common cancers, including those of the bladder and kidney, had an 18 per cent lower risk for those patients receiving aspirin. Taking aspirin significantly lowered the risk of cancer spread by about 55 per cent. The data showed a particular such benefit for colorectal cancer.

Taking aspirin lowered the overall risk of fatality in solid tumour forms such as colon, lung or prostate, the authors said. “These findings provide the first proof in man that aspirin prevents distant cancer metastasis.”

The figures suggest aspirin has a place in cancer treatment despite risks associated with its use, including the risk of stroke due to its blood thinning properties, the authors said.