Aspirin

Aspirin and Cancer: Unlocking the Benefits

A growing body of research highlights the remarkable anti-cancer benefits of a small 78-81 mg aspirin. When taken regularly, this modest drug can both reduce cancer risk and increase cancer survival by mitigating inflammation throughout the body, including around cancer cells. This dual action helps limit metastases while boosting the immune system's ability to recognize and target cancer. To avoid potential stomach issues, aspirin should be taken with food and not in larger daily doses.

The Power of Aspirin in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

An increasing amount of evidence underscores the benefits of a daily low-dose aspirin (75 – 81 mg) in cancer prevention and treatment. Studies have demonstrated that aspirin can:

1. Lower the risk of various cancers, including colorectal, esophageal, gastric, prostate, breast, and lung cancer.
2. Decrease metastases and extend survival times for cancer patients.
3. Reduce inflammation in the body and around cancer cells, facilitating immune system recognition and action against cancer.
4. Lower overall cancer mortality rates.

This delves into the groundbreaking science that first unveiled aspirin's anti-cancer potential, as well as subsequent research that has consistently supported the inclusion of a low-dose aspirin in anti-cancer regimens, except for those with cardiovascular issues.

Professor Kelvin Tsoi of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a leading expert in the field, has conducted extensive research on the long-term use of aspirin (at least 6 months, with a mean of 7.7 years). His work has revealed significant reductions in cancer risk:

• 47% reduction in liver and esophageal cancer risk

• 38% reduction in gastric cancer risk

• 34% reduction in pancreatic cancer risk

• 24% reduction in colorectal cancer risk

However, Tsoi also found that while aspirin reduced colorectal cancer deaths by 35%, it increased bleeding-related mortality by 24%. To minimize this risk, the daily dose should not exceed 81 mg, and aspirin should always be taken with food.

Aspirin's Anti-Inflammatory Action and Cancer

As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), aspirin works to decrease prostaglandin production, a key contributor to inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a precursor to all chronic illnesses, but it plays a particularly critical role in cancer development and metastasis.

Aspirin and Cancer: A Review of Key Studies

This reviews numerous studies that demonstrate the positive effects of aspirin on cancer risk, metastases, and survival, including research conducted by the American Medical Association, the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Trinity College Dublin, and the National Cancer Institute. The consensus is that aspirin, when taken consistently and long-term, provides significant benefits in preventing and treating cancer.

In 2012, researchers at Oxford University and John Radcliffe Hospital, led by Professor Peter Rothwell, found compelling evidence across three major studies that aspirin not only helped prevent cancer but also reduced the risk of cancer spreading and decreased cancer-related deaths. The researchers urged healthcare professionals to consider prescribing aspirin to cancer patients in light of these findings.

The researchers' findings showed the following:

• Prevention: One study found that taking a daily low-dose aspirin for three years reduced the chances of developing cancer in men by 23% and in women by 25%.
• Reducing Metastases: Another study demonstrated that, once cancer had been diagnosed, the chances of it spreading were cut by more than half (55%) if aspirin was taken daily for six and a half years.
• Reducing Death: A third study revealed that aspirin reduced the risk of dying from cancer by over a third (37%) if taken daily for five years.

In conclusion, aspirin's anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce cancer risk, metastases, and mortality make it a valuable addition to anti-cancer programs, with some exceptions for those with cardiovascular issues. It is crucial, however, to adhere to the recommended low-dose (75-81 mg) and always take aspirin with food to minimize the risk of stomach issues. As evidence continues to accumulate, the incorporation of aspirin into cancer prevention and treatment strategies could prove to be a game-changer in the fight against this devastating disease.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2818942

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28292923

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28377721

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28507039

5. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120828170725.htm

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16782912