A Dutch study of nearly 1,000 colon cancer patients who went through surgery between 2002 and 2008 found that those who had been given a prescription for aspirin after being diagnosed with colon cancer were more likely to survive. The aspirin was primarily low-dose aspirin, frequently prescribed to protect the heart from blood clots.
Approximately 38 percent of the aspirin users died during the follow-up period, compared to 49 percent of those who did not take aspirin. The strongest benefit from aspirin was in patients whose tumors showed expression of HLA class 1 antigen. When the tumors had lost that expression, aspirin was not effective in promoting survival.
In an editorial comment on the report, a physician noted that often one of the first questions patients or their family members ask after learning of a cancer diagnosis is “What can we do?” Now, suggesting low dose aspirin seems like a reasonable recommendation.
[JAMA Internal Medicine, March 31, 2014]
Those who would like more information on the pros and cons of aspirin in general may wish to consult our free Guide to Key Aspirin Information. Others may be more interested in our interviews with Dr. David Servan-Schreiber about evidence-based approaches to fighting cancer with diet, exercise and social support.
1/11/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/will-aspirin-keep-barretts-from-turning-into-cancer/
