A study has shown aspirin can reduce risk of a number of cancers. Photo: Shutterstock
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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2169603/low-dose-aspirin-use-can-reduce-risk-cancer-and-stroke Health & Wellness
Low-dose aspirin use can reduce risk of cancer and stroke, study shows
- Aspirin’s anti-inflammatory and platelet-lowering properties are key to reducing risk of a number of cancers
- The drug cuts the risk of ovarian cancer by 23 per cent; similar use of ibuprofen increases cancer risk
An aspirin a day helps reduce risk of cancer, while habitual use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen increase the risk. Photo: Shutterstock
Research suggests that daily low-dose aspirin could reduce the risk of developing certain cancers: colon, breast, prostate and ovarian.
A study co-led by the Moffitt Cancer Centre in the United States found that women taking a daily low-dose aspirin – about 81mg – had a 23 per cent lower risk of ovarian cancer compared to non-users.
Conversely, the same research found that women who were heavy users of non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, over a long period of time – say, 10 tablets weekly for many years – had a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynaecological cancer, largely because it is difficult to detect. It is believed that the inflammation that occurs during ovulation plays a role in its development. Professor Victoria Seewaldt of the City of Hope cancer hospital in California says one reason aspirin could help prevent ovarian cancer is its anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, however, as a blood thinner aspirin has the potential to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. It also reduces the number of platelets in the blood, which could be beneficial in slowing cancer growth.
“Platelets increase inflammation and help tumour cells spread to other parts of the body,” says Shelley Tworoger, one of the study’s lead researchers. “Having high platelets has been associated with worse outcomes in ovarian cancer patients.”
Daily aspirin use also lowers rick of heart attack and stroke. Photo: Shutterstock
The findings corroborate a collection of studies which together collected the results of more than 750,000 women, 3,500 of whom had ovarian cancer.
“We’re not quite at the stage where we could make the recommendation that daily aspirin use lowers ovarian cancer risk,” says Tworoger. “We need to do more research. But it is definitely something women should discuss with their doctor.”