The protective effect of aspirin against colon cancer is confirmed. Regular intake for at least 6 years reduces the risk of cancer by 19% in men and women.
Regularly taking a low dose of aspirin for at least 6 years is associated with a reduced risk of digestive cancers, especially colorectal cancer, reveals a study published Thursday in the scientific journal JAMA Oncology.
The benefits of aspirin against these cancers have been demonstrated by numerous studies. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) would reduce the risk of digestive cancer by almost 30%. Other studies suggest that aspirin doubles the chances of survival in patients with digestive cancer.
However, little research has focused on the protective effect of this drug against other cancerous pathologies. Thus, researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston studied more than 135,000 men and women over 32 years to assess the association between taking aspirin and the occurrence of cancer.
More than 27,000 cancers
During the study, more than 20,400 cancers were diagnosed in the 88,084 women followed, as well as 7,571 cancers in the 47,881 men. By analyzing their aspirin intake, the researchers showed that the risk of all cancers was reduced by 3% when participants took aspirin more than twice a week.
In addition, the results show that the risk of developing stomach or intestinal cancer decreases by 15%, while the risk of colorectal cancer drops by 19% when volunteers take half a pill or more. one pill of aspirin per week. To benefit from the protective effect, the intake had to be at least 3 years, emphasize the authors. However, taking aspirin regularly does not seem to have an effect on the risk of the deadliest cancers such as breast, prostate or lung cancer.
Significant side effects
At the level of the general population, American researchers estimate that a regular intake of aspirin could prevent the appearance of 17% of colon cancers among people who do not participate in screening. In those doing colonoscopies, more than 8% of cancers could be prevented.
The authors hypothesize that aspirin counteracts the formation of cancerous tumors in the digestive system. But the precise protective mechanisms are still unknown.
However, the preventive prescription of aspirin is not yet planned. Because the side effects associated with this anti-inflammatory can be potentially serious. For example, it increases the risk of bleeding, ulcers or anemia.
.
