Daily Aspirin May Help Prevent Colon Cancer for Those at Higher Risk

Strategic Insights -

New research suggests that daily low-dose aspirin may have a significant benefit in preventing colon cancer, particularly for individuals with unhealthy lifestyles that raise their cancer risk. This finding could change the way doctors and patients discuss the use of daily low-dose aspirin. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology found that regular aspirin use was associated with a lower risk of colon cancer, especially among those with multiple risk factors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that regular aspirin use reduced the risk of colon cancer by 20% compared to those who did not take aspirin.
  • The benefits of aspirin were most pronounced among individuals with unhealthy lifestyles, with 78 people needing to be treated with daily aspirin to prevent one case of colon cancer.
  • The study also found that those with healthier lifestyles showed a less pronounced benefit from aspirin, with 909 people needing to be treated to prevent one case of colon cancer.
  • The researchers noted that their study did not track rates of aspirin's leading side effect, bleeding.
  • The study suggests that healthcare providers may more strongly consider recommending aspirin to patients with less healthy lifestyles.
  • The recommendation is to take daily low-dose aspirin (81 mg) rather than weekly doses of 325 mg.

Statistics:

  • 10-year colon cancer incidence among regular aspirin users was 2%.
  • 10-year colon cancer incidence among non-users was 3%.
  • 2.12% of regular aspirin users developed colon cancer among those with the most unhealthy risk factors.
  • 3.4% of non-users developed colon cancer among those with the most unhealthy risk factors.
  • 1.5% of regular aspirin users developed colon cancer among those with the healthiest lifestyles.
  • 1.6% of non-users developed colon cancer among those with the healthiest lifestyles.
  • 909:1 ratio of non-users to users needed to be treated to prevent one case of colon cancer among the healthiest cohort.
  • 78:1 ratio of non-users to users needed to be treated to prevent one case of colon cancer among the least healthy cohort.

Sources:

  • Massachusetts General Hospital, news release, Aug. 1, 2024
  • JAMA Oncology, Journal of the American Medical Association, August 2024