Low-Dose Aspirin, Other Painkillers May Lower Colon Cancer Risk
But findings should be viewed with care, researcher says
MONDAY, Aug. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Regularly taking low-dose aspirin or other common pain relievers may lower long-term risk of colon cancer, new research suggests.
Men and women who took low-dose (75 to 150 milligrams) aspirin for five years or more saw their risk of colon cancer drop by 27 percent. And taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for that long was linked to a 30 percent to 45 percent drop in colon cancer risk, the study found.
"The protective association is certainly amazing, and it's a good example of how everyday drugs can have unexpected benefits," said study co-author Dr. John Baron, a professor of medicine in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill.
"But there are also potential risks," said Baron, who urged the findings be viewed with care.
"I don't think we should imply or recommend that these medications be taken for cancer prevention without working closely with a physician," he said.
The study did not assess the potential impact of high-dose aspirin, and no protective benefit was seen for irregular or short-term users of either low-dose aspirin or other NSAIDs.
And the study did not prove that the use of painkillers reduced the risk of colon cancer, just that there was an association between the two.
In the United States, NSAIDs include over-the-counter Aleve (naproxen), Advil and Motrin (both ibuprofen), and prescription drugs such as Celebrex and high-strength Motrin.
Baron emphasized that the drugs were taken continuously for years before any cancer-preventive benefits were realized. "For aspirin, you would have to take it fairly consistently, meaning at least every other day, for at least five to 10 years for the protective effect to even begin to appear," he said.
"That's a significant amount of time for side effects to accumulate, all without getting any benefit," he said.
Potential side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding with aspirin, and heightened risk for heart attack and stroke with long-term use, or high-dose use, of NSAIDs, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Aspirin, NSAIDs May Lower Colon Cancer Risk
But findings should be viewed with care, researcher says
MONDAY, Aug. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Regularly taking low-dose aspirin or other common pain relievers may lower long-term risk of colon cancer, new research suggests.
Men and women who took low-dose (75 to 150 milligrams) aspirin for five years or more saw their risk of colon cancer drop by 27 percent. And taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for that long was linked to a 30 percent to 45 percent drop in colon cancer risk, the study found.
"The protective association is certainly amazing, and it's a good example of how everyday drugs can have unexpected benefits," said study co-author Dr. John Baron, a professor of medicine in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill.
"But there are also potential risks," said Baron, who urged the findings be viewed with care.
"I don't think we should imply or recommend that these medications be taken for cancer prevention without working closely with a physician," he said.
The study did not assess the potential impact of high-dose aspirin, and no protective benefit was seen for irregular or short-term users of either low-dose aspirin or other NSAIDs.
And the study did not prove that the use of painkillers reduced the risk of colon cancer, just that there was an association between the two.
In the United States, NSAIDs include over-the-counter Aleve (naproxen), Advil and Motrin (both ibuprofen), and prescription drugs such as Celebrex and high-strength Motrin.
Baron emphasized that the drugs were taken continuously for years before any cancer-preventive benefits were realized. "For aspirin, you would have to take it fairly consistently, meaning at least every other day, for at least five to 10 years for the protective effect to even begin to appear," he said.
"That's a significant amount of time for side effects to accumulate, all without getting any benefit," he said.
Potential side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding with aspirin, and heightened risk for heart attack and stroke with long-term use, or high-dose use, of NSAIDs, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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