Aspirin, a commonly used pain reliever, has long been thought to have potential anti-cancer effects.

Recent studies have provided evidence to support this theory, indicating that regular use of aspirin can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Breast cancer

One study, published in the journal “Breast Cancer Research” showed that women who took aspirin had a 16% lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who did not.

The study analyzed data from over 57,000 women over the course of more than 3 decades. The research suggested that aspirin may be particularly effective in reducing the risk of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, which accounts for approximately 75% of all breast cancer cases.

Bowel cancer

Several studies have also found a link between regular aspirin use and a decreased risk of developing bowel cancer.

One study, published in the journal “The Lancet”, found that people who took aspirin for at least 5 years had a 37% lower risk of developing bowel cancer than those who did not. Another study found that individuals who took aspirin every day had a 24% reduced risk of bowel cancer.

Lung cancer

A study published in the journal “Cancer Prevention Research” indicated that aspirin use can also reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Individuals who took aspirin at least twice a week had a 15% lower risk of developing lung cancer than those who did not take aspirin. As with breast cancer, aspirin was found to be particularly effective in reducing the risk of a specific type of lung cancer known as adenocarcinoma.

Ovarian cancer

A study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School found that taking aspirin may help to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The study found that women who took aspirin had a 20% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer than those who did not. The research also suggested that aspirin may be particularly effective in reducing the risk of a specific type of ovarian cancer known as clear cell ovarian cancer.

Prostate cancer

A number of studies have suggested that regular aspirin use may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

One study, published in the journal “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention” found that men who took aspirin regularly had a 24% lower risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. Another study found that men who took aspirin had a 13% lower risk of developing any type of prostate cancer.

Stomach cancer

A large-scale study conducted in Korea found that taking aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer.

The study examined over 8 million people, and found that those who took aspirin had a 30% lower risk of developing stomach cancer than those who did not.

Caveats and concerns

While these studies provide strong evidence that aspirin can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, there are also some caveats and concerns.

For example, long-term use of aspirin has been linked to an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Additionally, not all studies have found a clear link between aspirin use and reduced cancer risk, and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between aspirin and cancer risk.

Conclusion

Overall, the available research suggests that aspirin may have potential anti-cancer effects, and may be particularly effective in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer such as breast, bowel, lung, ovarian, prostate, and stomach cancer.

However, it is important to weigh the potential benefits of aspirin use against the potential risks, and to consult with a healthcare provider before starting to take aspirin on a regular basis for cancer prevention purposes.