Aspirin Does A Body Good Part 2

Yesterday, we learned that taking low dose aspirin decreases risk of developing cancer, some more than others.  But what if it's too late and you already have cancer?  It turns out that another study on the effects of aspirin on metastatic cancer was published early online in the Lancet earlier this week.  After analyzing the results of 5 randomized controlled trials ostensibly intended to specifically assess vascular health, the authors concluded that taking aspirin decreases/prevents distant metastases.

You should know that this meta-analysis included 17,285 participants in 5 randomized controlled trials followed for 6+ years.  Those w/adenocarcinoma did better than other types of cancer, regardless of age, sex & aspirin dose (both low dose, slow release demonstrated benefit comparable to high dose), although smokers appeared to have more benefit.

Bottom line:  randomized controlled trials have demonstrated an ability to prevent cancer as well as this new study of studies demonstrating a potential to prevent metastases.  But as always, make sure you do your own research and discuss your findings w/your family physician.

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