Health benefits associated with aspirin are steadily increasing
urther evidence is mounting that taking aspirin regularly could help protect people against cancer.
New research, by scientists from the Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan, suggests that taking the drug regularly for five years or more can cut the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and oesophagus by two-thirds.
The new finding adds to the list of benefits found to be associated with the pain-killing drug. Previous research suggests that aspirin cuts the risk of both bowel and lung cancer, in addition to its therapeutic effects against arthritis and heart disease.
Data from three separate studies, involving 965 cancer patients and 1,179 patients with other conditions, was used during this latest research. After diet, smoking and drinking habits were taken into account it was found that people who had taken aspirin regularly were at much less risk of throat and mouth cancers than those who had not used the drug.
Dr Christina Bosetti, lead researcher, said the reason why aspirin appears to decrease risk of cancer could be down to the drug's effects on a particular enzyme present in cancer cells. 'We think that aspirin may take effect by acting on an enzyme called cyclooxeganase-2, which has a role both in inflammation and the process of cancer growth. Our results further extend our knowledge of the health benefits of this remarkable drug and suggest that taking it could become an important way of protecting ourselves against cancer.'
According to a report in the British Journal of Cancer, many people start taking aspirin regularly to help other health problems such as heart disease. Scientists believe if people start taking aspirin earlier, it might be possible to achieve stronger protective effects against cancer.
Dr Richard Sullivan, head of clinical programmes for Cancer Research UK, said aspirin now counts as one of the greatest finds in the history of drug discovery. 'What began life as a simple painkiller now seems to have a wide range of beneficial effects for our health, and this new study adds to the evidence of a significant protective effect against cancer.'
