A publication in the prestigious Annals of Oncology journal states that this measure is most effective after patients who are losing weight or quitting smoking.

In another recent article from the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, the daily use of aspirin at low doses has been shown to reduce mortality in 130,000 patients. In the aforementioned study there was a reduction in the presentation of cancer between the group taking aspirin and those who were not taking aspirin; 7% amongst women and 15% amongst men for the 32-year period the patients were studied.  The reduction in risk may seem modest but it is the equivalent percentage increase that would apply if the patient was obese.

Dr. Francisco Martínez Peñalver – Medical Director Neolife Marbella

A publication in the Annals of Oncology and an article from the Massachusetts General Hospital have shown the relationship between the daily use of aspirin at low doses and a reduced risk of cancer.

The relationship between regular use of aspirin and prevention in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer has been understood for some time, but what if aspirin also reduced the appearance of other types of tumours?

For the first time, a group of oncologists in a new publication in the prestigious Annals of Oncology journal have taken steps to “take a risk” and advocate the use of aspirin amongst large populations as a means to decrease the incidence of cancer to such a level that they assert the measure is the most effective measure to implement after other measures such as quitting smoking and losing weight. Aspirin has the advantage of being much simpler to implement than either of the former. Treatment is recommended for those between 50 and 65 years, and should not be recommended for those aged 70 or over due to the reported side effects.

In another recent article from the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, the daily use of aspirin at low doses has been shown to reduce mortality in 130,000 patients. In the aforementioned study there was a reduction in the presentation of cancer between the group taking aspirin and those who were not taking aspirin; 7% amongst women and 15% amongst men for the 32-year period the patients were studied.  The reduction in risk may seem modest but it is the equivalent percentage increase that would apply if the patient was obese; so the reduction is not negligible. It has been estimated that the average aspirin dose to be taken should be 70-100 mg / day, for a minimum period of 6 years to obtain the benefits outlined. The results showed a 30% reduction in mortality in relation to colon cancer, an 11% reduction in mortality in relation to breast cancer, a 23% reduction in mortality in relation to prostate cancer and an 11% reduction in mortality in relation to lung cancer.

The chronic use of aspirin at low doses can prevent not only oncological diseases, but also cardiovascular disease.

Finally, the USPTSF (US Preventive Services Task Force) recommends as part of a more balanced option a dose of 81 mg/day of aspirin to try to avoid the side effects of intestinal bleeding and retain the protective benefits of aspirin in relation to cancer.

In summary, it seems increasingly certain that the repeated use of aspirin at low doses may have benefits when it comes to the prevention of oncological disease (especially for tumours in the digestive system) and in cardiovascular disease. The risks from such repeated use of aspirin, even at low doses include gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic strokes; therefore, it is advisable to personalise all aspirin prescriptions to only those patients whose expected benefits far outweigh the risks that the drug may pose, such as, for example, those patients with a significant family history of colon cancer.

At Neolife we are driven towards our goal of disease prevention and we understand that each patient is different and we must personalise our treatment plans to each patient. The prevention of many diseases is founded upon healthy lifestyle choices (diet and exercise), but also rigorous management and the correct treatment of symptoms can be combined to provide the patient with a higher quality of life.