Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has been used for over a hundred years to relieve pain, reduce fever, and manage inflammation.

However, beyond its common uses, studies have suggested that aspirin has the potential to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

What kinds of cancer can aspirin reduce the risk of?

Here are some of the cancers that aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of:.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Studies have shown that regular aspirin use (at least 75 mg/day) can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer by up to 30%.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Studies have suggested that women who take aspirin regularly may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.

However, results have been inconsistent, and more research is needed to better understand the link between aspirin and breast cancer.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women worldwide. Although the evidence is not as strong as it is for colorectal cancer, some studies have suggested that regular aspirin use may reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.

However, more research is needed to confirm this.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men worldwide. Like breast cancer, studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the effect of aspirin use on the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Some studies have suggested a lower risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer, while others have found no association.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Some studies have suggested that aspirin use may reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm this.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a notoriously difficult cancer to treat, and it is often not diagnosed until it is more advanced. Although the evidence is limited, some studies have suggested that aspirin use may reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Some studies have suggested that regular aspirin use may reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer. However, this evidence is still limited.

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. Evidence regarding the effect of aspirin use on the risk of developing esophageal cancer is currently limited and inconclusive.

Liver cancer

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and it is often diagnosed at a late stage. Although early research suggested that aspirin use may reduce the risk of developing liver cancer, more recent studies have yielded conflicting results.

More research is needed to better understand the relationship between aspirin and liver cancer.

Conclusion

While more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between aspirin use and cancer, the evidence suggests that aspirin may be effective in reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.

However, it is important to consult with your doctor before starting any new medication, including aspirin.