Groundbreaking Cancer Trial Results: Aspirin Prevents Bowel Cancer in Lynch Syndrome Patients

Nick James, a furniture maker from Gosforth, was the first recruit to the Cancer Prevention Project 3 (CaPP3) trial in 2014, which aimed to explore the effect of low-dose aspirin on reducing bowel cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome. The trial, led by Professor Sir John Burn from the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University, found that a daily dose of 75-100mg of aspirin effectively cuts bowel cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome, comparable to higher doses tested in previous trials.

Key Takeaways:

• The CaPP3 trial found that a daily dose of 75-100mg of aspirin reduces bowel cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome, equivalent to a 50% reduction in risk.
• The trial was funded by Cancer Research UK and Stand Up To Cancer, and involved Nick James, a 45-year-old furniture maker from Gosforth, who was the first recruit.
• Nick James, a carrier of the Lynch syndrome faulty gene, was diagnosed with the condition after his mother's death from cancer and his siblings' diagnosis with bowel cancer.
• Lynch syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 400 people in England, equivalent to around 175,000 individuals, substantially increasing the risk of bowel cancer and other types of cancer.
• Professor Sir John Burn stated that the CaPP3 trial results indicate that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimizing side effects while offering vital protection for people with Lynch syndrome.
• Cancer Research UK head of prevention and early detection research, Dr David Crosby, emphasized that trials like CaPP3 are transforming cancer prevention, offering hope to people with Lynch syndrome and their families.

Statistics:

• 1 in 400 people in England have Lynch syndrome, equivalent to around 175,000 individuals.
• Purely and non-smoking men taking aspirin having lower rate of reinforced onset of rectal cancer during 5 year follow up period compared to who were not taking Aspirin.
• The CaPP3 trial found that a daily dose of 75-100mg of aspirin cuts bowel cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome by at least 50%.
• Only a quarter of people with Lynch syndrome are currently taking aspirin, missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.
• The CaPP3 trial was funded by Cancer Research UK (£265,000) and Stand Up To Cancer (no amount specified).

Sources:

• Cancer Research UK
• The Guardian (original article, date not specified)
• CaPP3 trial results announcement