R
runawaybunny
Guest
Does an aspirin a day keep cancer at bay?
An aspirin a day could protect against a host of cancers. Even low daily doses of the drug have been found to cut the rate of cancer deaths by a third. Given the other strings in the drug's bow, aspirin might be fulfilling its "wonder drug" expectations.
In the study, Peter Rothwell, at the University of Oxford, and colleagues followed up over 25,000 patients enrolled in eight clinical trials assessing the effects of daily aspirin. The group found that even a low dose reduced the rate of cancer deaths by 21 per cent during the trials. What's more, five years later, the rate had dropped by a third.
The effects were also long-lasting. While the trials lasted between four and eight years, a reduction in cancer deaths of 20 per cent was still seen 20 years later in those taking aspirin.
The team also report in The Lancet that the greatest benefits were enjoyed by those who had taken the pill over the longest period of time.
The new findings are likely to boost aspirin's superhero status. Already hailed a "wonder drug", daily aspirin has been suggested to reduce general mortality in women by 25 per cent and is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
An aspirin a day could protect against a host of cancers. Even low daily doses of the drug have been found to cut the rate of cancer deaths by a third. Given the other strings in the drug's bow, aspirin might be fulfilling its "wonder drug" expectations.
In the study, Peter Rothwell, at the University of Oxford, and colleagues followed up over 25,000 patients enrolled in eight clinical trials assessing the effects of daily aspirin. The group found that even a low dose reduced the rate of cancer deaths by 21 per cent during the trials. What's more, five years later, the rate had dropped by a third.
The effects were also long-lasting. While the trials lasted between four and eight years, a reduction in cancer deaths of 20 per cent was still seen 20 years later in those taking aspirin.
The team also report in The Lancet that the greatest benefits were enjoyed by those who had taken the pill over the longest period of time.
The new findings are likely to boost aspirin's superhero status. Already hailed a "wonder drug", daily aspirin has been suggested to reduce general mortality in women by 25 per cent and is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
