By Michael A. Smith, MD
In the mid-1980s, doctors theorized that aspirin, because of its anti-inflammatory properties, might play a role in cardiovascular disease. Turns out they were right. Aspirin has since been shown in several studies to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Is there anything else that aspirin could possibly do? The answer is yes. According to recent research, aspirin may very well help fight against cancer too.
Aspirin Decreases Cancer RiskCancer is one of the most feared words in the English language for good reason. A diagnosis of cancer often means months and even years of harsh treatments and horrible side effects.
I watched my mom suffer from endless chemotherapy sessions and wither away from lung cancer, all in vain. She died just a few months before my high school graduation. My family knows cancer.
It may be too late for my mom, but it’s not too late for you and your loved ones. Research is now showing that daily aspirin users have a significant reduced risk of many cancers. Here’s a list of cancers that aspirin protects against the percent shown is the risk reduction):1
- 63% colon cancer
- 39% breast cancer
- 36% lung cancer
- 39% prostate cancer
- 73% esophageal cancer
- 62% stomach cancer
- 47% ovarian cancer
But what if you already have cancer? Could aspirin help then? Well, the initial verdict is in for at least two types of cancer: breast and colon.
Aspirin Improves Survival in Breast CancerOver 4,000 women with breast cancer were studied for their aspirin intake.2 Those who took aspirin 2-5 days per week for at least 1 year had a 71% decreased risk of death compared to those not using aspirin.
The women who took aspirin regularly were likely taking it for heart disease prevention, and the typical dose for that purpose is 81 mg per day. But the effects of this dose certainly seem to go way beyond protecting the heart.
The authors of the study concluded the following: “Taking aspirin may become another simple, low-cost, and relatively safe tool to help women with breast cancer live longer, healthier lives."2
Aspirin Improves Survival in Colon CancerAccording to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Almost all colon cancer starts in glands in the lining of the colon and rectum.
There is no single cause of colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps which slowly develop into cancer. Risk factors include age, diets high in saturated fats, inflammatory bowel disease and family history.
Over the years, traditional medicine has not been able to increase survival in any significant way … until now. Yes, you guessed it ... aspirin has been shown to increase survival of this deadly disease.
Those with colon cancer who started using aspirin after their cancer was diagnosed had a 47% reduced risk of death from colon cancer. People whose cancers expressed COX-2 had a dramatic 61% decreased risk of death from colon cancer.3
How Does Aspirin Fight Against Cancer?The pro-inflammatory enzyme Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overactive in many types of cancers. For example, COX-2 activity is 60 times greater in pancreatic cancer cells and 150 times greater in head and neck cancer cells.4,5
Cancer researchers are zooming in on COX-2 activity as a fuel for cancer growth. The theory is that COX-2 activity stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, which feeds the cancer cells with fresh, oxygenated blood.6 This fresh supply of blood enhances the ability of cancer cells to spread throughout the body.7
So what does this have to do with aspirin? Well, aspirin actually inhibits COX-2. Cancer specialists believe that by inhibiting COX-2 action, aspirin is able to help fight against the spread of cancer cells, which will ultimately increase survival.
Is Aspirin Right for You?Aspirin is not for everyone. If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking prescription blood thinners, you need to speak with your own doctor before starting an aspirin regimen.
Whether it’s right for you or not, the mounting research is certainly worth considering. Rest assured, we’ll keep you posted with updates as more information becomes available.
Had you heard about aspirin’s cancer-fighting potential before reading this post? What do you think? Share your take in the comments below.
- Oncol Rep. 2005 Apr;13(4):559-83.
- J Clin Oncol. 2010 Mar 20;28(9):1467-72.
- JAMA. 2009;302(6):649-658.
- Cancer Res. 1999 Mar 1;59(5):987-90.
- Cancer Res. 1999 Mar 1;59(5):991-4.
- Cell. 1998 May 29;93(5):705-16.
- Cancer Res. 2002 Mar 1;62(5):1567-72.
Share | |