SIGNIFICANT reductions in some common digestive cancers were observed associated with regular intake of aspirin in a study out of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The large study involved more than 600,000 people but could only define an associative relationship beteen ingestion of aspirin and reduced risk of cancer, not necessarilly a causative relationship.
Results were significant for five digestive system cancers: 47% reduction in liver and esophageal cancer, 34% reduction in pancreatic cancer, 24% reduction in colorectal cancer and 38% reduction in gastric cancer.
Aspirin use also correlated with a reduction in leukemia, lung and prostate cancer incidence, but not with cancers of the breast, kidney or bladder, researchers said.
Previous studies have found similar links but the exact mechanism is unknown at this stage.
Authors speculate on the anti-inflammatory action and the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, critical to feeding the blood supply of a cancer.
The authors reminded readers that aspirin is not without risk to the gut as well and can cause bleeding as it breaks down the ionic acid-barrier of the stomach.
CLICK HERE for the research.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 Nov 17
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 02 Nov 17
