THE aspirin is already widely used in the prevention of heart disease but studies have shown that the humble 'headache pill' could also help keep Hong Kong's third biggest killing cancer at bay.
Aspirin has already been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes by preventing the blood from clotting the arteries and veins, but more research into possible uses of the drug also indicate that it might help to prevent colon cancer.
A study in the United States found that among those who took regular doses of aspirin for at least four years the relative risk of colon or rectal cancer was 38 per cent of that for non-aspirin users.
The results also showed that people who had taken aspirin twice or more per week for some time were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with either colon or rectal cancer.
But Hong Kong doctors involved in the prevention and early detection of cancer are taking a cautious view of the findings and have warned against taking aspirin to prevent colon cancer until a more conclusive study has been carried out.
Dr Jonathan Sham Shun-tong, spokesman for the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society's education committee, pointed out that there had been reports that aspirin is not particularly useful in preventing colon cancer.
He added: 'I would be cautious and say that people cannot rely on the result of this study and say that aspirin is the answer in the prevention of colon cancer.' Colon and rectal cancer are among the most common and deadly forms of cancer in Hong Kong and kill about 1,000 people in the territory every year, with about 25 per cent more men affected than women.