Daily aspirin use is associated with a modest reduction in cancer mortality, but the benefit is not as great as that observed previously, according to a prospective study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Some 100,000 adults who were free of cancer at baseline were followed for 11 years. About a quarter reported taking aspirin daily at baseline, with most continuing its use during follow-up.
Overall, 5% died from cancer during follow-up. Current daily aspirin use was associated with a small but significant reduction in overall cancer mortality, compared with nonuse (relative risk, 0.84). The lower risk was largely driven by a reduction in gastrointestinal cancer mortality, although deaths due to liver and bladder cancers were also reduced significantly.
Aspirin's benefit was limited to nonsmokers. Duration of use showed no effect.
An editorialist, a consultant to Bayer, calls the results "an echo of other data on aspirin and cancer mortality, not a resounding confirmation." He adds: "Nonetheless, the big picture on aspirin use and cancer is very positive."
No comments:
Post a Comment