There is an important new study out tonight that answers some of the important questions concerning the use of aspirin and the prevention of colon cancer.

With all the high tech procedures and cutting edge treatments, aspirin has for nearly a hundred years now been a terrific medicinal. Colon cancer is one of the things aspirin has been shown to help prevent…moreso in those who have already had a tumor or polyp.

But what about those who have never had anything wrong? Can it help prevent colon cancer from ever appearing. The answer is a highly qualified yes.

An important new study answers some of the important questions concerning the use of aspirin and the prevention of colon cancer.

With all the high tech procedures and cutting edge treatments, aspirin has for nearly a hundred years now been a terrific medicinal. Colon cancer is one of the things aspirin has been shown to help prevent…more so in those who have already had a tumor or polyp.

But what about those who have never had anything wrong? Can it help prevent colon cancer from ever appearing. The answer is a highly qualified yes.

New research in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that women who took two or more aspirin per week for more than 10 years significantly reduced their risk of colorectal cancer.

Dr. Jennifer Christie, a gastroenterologist at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, says, “I was not surprised by the findings there is a lot of literature to support the use of aspirin and other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in reducing the risks of adenoma meaning polyps recurrences and also reducing risk of colon cancer.”

However, the researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found the risk reduction was not seen until aspirin was used for ten years or longer. And the risk reduction was related to the dosage used.

Those who used between two and five aspirin per week had an 11 percent risk reduction.
The risk was 22 percent lower if 6 to 14 aspirins per week were used. And it was 32 percent lower with more than 14 aspirins per week. More than that was associated with, amazingly, a 53 percent lowering of colon cancer risk!

But using that amount of aspirin comes with a price. “Clearly the risk of bleeding with aspirin is related to dose,” says Dr. Christie.

So given the findings, is there a reasonable amount to use which balances the risk of colon cancer with the risk of bleeding? “There are other studies to support the use of lower dose the 81 milligram dosage once a day and have a reduced risk of colon cancer.//Absolutely more studies need to be done to number one identify who is appropriate to take long term aspirin and number two the appropriate dose,” states Dr. Christie.

61-year-old Rosa Thomas has had polyps and is taking aspirin. “If the aspirin is going to help me and keep me from getting cancer I'm going to take it as long as it’s helping me,” says Rosa. And, as long as it’s not harming her. The frustration of having an effective way to prevent a common killer itself has its own serious risks.

Related Stories

 - Colon Cancer Screening
 - Health Wrap - June 2
 - Joe Theismann Superbowl