A new study suggests that certain forms of cancer may be reduced by ingesting aspirin.
October 29, 2011-The risk of developing colorectal cancer is reduced by over 60% by taking two aspirin per day says a new large study. The study shows another piece of evidence of the many positive effects aspirin has.
Prior observational studies were successful in showing aspirin lowered the risk of colorectal cancer, however this new study was the first controlled trial that had the same end result. England’s Leeds and Newcastle University researchers followed nearly 1,000 patients in 16 countries.
All participants in the study had been previously diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition predisposing people to a higher rate of developing colorectal cancer as well as other forms of cancer. Two groups of patients were formed. One group took 600 milligrams of aspirin each day for a minimum of two years, while during the same time the other group was given placebos each day.
The findings showed that there was a 63% less risk of having colorectal cancer develop in those that took two aspirin daily over a two-year period than in those that took just a placebo.
Researchers said now there is proof that aspirin helps reduce the development of cancer in high genetic risk patients. The reason that aspirin works in lowering the risk of cancer is still unknown, but researchers believe that aspirin’s active part may cause cells that are DNA-damaged to die.
