Aspirin prevents colorectal cancer
Flossmann and Rothwell, published in the Lancet a review of two studies: the British Doctors Aspirin Trial (N=5139, two-thirds allocated 500 mg aspirin for 5 years, one third to open control) and UK-TIA Aspirin Trial (N=2449, two-thirds allocated 300 mg or 1200 mg aspirin for 1–7 years, one third placebo-controlled).
After ten years of follow-up, there was a statistically significant reduction in colorectal cancers among those who had received aspirin. The was a 40% relative reduction in new diagnosis of colorectal cancers among those who had received aspirin for at least five years.
Other studies have shown that there was no reduction in colorectal cancers in patients who used aspirin at lower doses.
There are a number of other protective effects of aspirin, e.g. against heart attacks. However, there are undesirable effects of aspirin as well, such as gastric ulcers. So it’s a balance between the benefits and hazards of taking aspirin.
aspirin makes my days hell, at least 2 days…swollen, skin sort of elevated, itchy, unwell want to go to bed!!! i run away from anything with aspirin in it. i always ask first nowadays…
Uhm, aspirin = panadol?
Heh? So, take more aspirins??
A commentator in the Lancet notes that, although the analysis provides “convincing evidence” of an effect, “these findings are not sufficient to warrant a recommendation for the general population to use aspirin for cancer prevention.”
I heard on (Singaporean) radio just yesterday about the benefits of aspirin, wasn’t really listening. But the deejay then said something to the effect of taking aspirin everyday, making it sound like a health supplement. I was stunned speechless.
How can he say something like that?
p.s. been following your blog for quite some time now, can’t remember if I have ever commented. Really like your blog. =)
Bengbeng, you’re allergic to aspirin. Stay away!
Rinnah, no, aspirin is not the same as panadol.
Angel, no.. that’s no recommendation to do that based on these studies yet. Sorry, I should have said that.
Palmdoc, thanks! Yup.. there are studies under way to use other drugs, celecoxib among them, for prevention of colorectal adenoma and carcinoma.
It’s still a long way off before a safe recommendation can be made for an intervention to prevent colorectal cancer.
Anastasia, thanks for reading. It encourages me that there are readers out there
It’s true that public figures should practice caution when making medical recommendations. It’s safe to do it by quoting someone, perhaps a medical professional. Or making a disclaimer that listeners should consult a doctor for personalized recommendations.
like you said, it’s to see whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
There had to be some good in taking aspirins!
Will Tylenol work? I cannot take aspirin as I am a bleeder.
Simply stated, NO.
My ang moh uncle was one of the subject in the study…He told me about it..i think more than 6 yrs ago…That was when he was diagnosed with rectal cancer and operated on..
Eeeerrrr….is it good for tooth ache too?…hehe…
Does it got something to do with penicilin?
risks of gastic ulcer outweighs benefits in general population … maybe aspirin/NSAID only for those with higher risks for cancer?
interestingly to note that aspirin used for cardiovascular protection is recommeded as 75mg-150mg daily.. which probably will not ‘protect’ against colorectal carcinoma .
A change in lifestyle is definately more effective. In singapore, detection kits are distributed to the certain high risk category
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/276347/1/.html
Nyonya, yup.. you and EricL have the right idea.
The key will be to identify what sub-population (which group of people) will benefit from it….
… at the moment, perhaps those who have a personal history of cancer before or history of polyps, or strong family history of cancer or polyps will probably benefit from it.
… studies are going on to find out who else might benefit. Furthermore, perhaps some way of genetic testing might reveal who could benefit from it. These are still a long way off.
In the meantime, even though there are no official recommendations based on evidence, it’s probably reasonable to offer it to those who have a history of cancer before and those with polyps before.
Simple American, as Palmdoc has replied…. NO. Tylenol is similar to Panadol in the Malaysian market. It’s acetaminophen, we call it paracetamol here.
A rose by any other name works the same way. Or rather works not.
Capt Picard sure does.. works for Chelsea’s toothache.
And chelsea, it’s NOT penicillin.
Eve, is he a doctor? Sad to hear that he had colorectal cancer; is he ok?
Liling, change in lifestyle has yet to be proven… it’s known that obesity increases the risk. Also a high-fibre diet may protective. However, a nurses’ diet study didn’t show a protective effect from alteration of dietary habit to increased fibres.
I would still recommend a high-fibre diet and maintaining a healthy weight for maintenance of total health.
Probably, screening is the single most important factor to reduce deaths from colorectal cancer. This is based on Western studies. It might be extrapolated to Asian populations too.
Kits to detect blood in the motion is one such screening program. It should be used for all AVERAGE risk persons above the age of 50 years.
The other screening method is colonoscopy every ten years from the age of 50 years.
In fact, high-risk individuals should receive colonoscopic screening.
you got tagged… sorry!
http://mottisland.com/blog/?p=8
Mott, what sorry, lah? Haha.. uahh.. new blog? OK.. lemme get on it.
Great Post!
Dr Bernard Chan,
I’m a first time visitor to your site. Was introduced by my friend Judy Leese to seek help from you pertaining to my mum’s illness. I see Dr Alan Teh is here. He, together with Dr S C Ng are attending to my mum and they both concur that for my mum’s condition, aspirin is a definite NO! I’m pretty surprised to find this otherwise!
However, for my case, would a combination of caffergot, aspirin & voltaren relief migraine attacks?
Ilene, glad to see a visitor
ALL drug prescriptions are based on individual needs and you mother is under the care of the best physicians already.
I’m sorry, but what did you find “otherwise”? *blur*
For your case, again… all therapy is individualised by your family physician. However, all I can say is aspirin still remains as effective pain-killers if not used for other indications (reasons).