What is Aspirin?

Aspirin is made of acetylsalicylic acid and is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Aspirin is used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain from conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, common cold and headaches. It can also be used to reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as arthritis. Because aspirin thins the blood, doctors may recommend it to some patients to help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack. 

Evidence is mounting that long term aspirin use may also help reduce the risk of certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer. 

How does Aspirin help in cancer prevention? 

Drugs like aspirin work by targeting enzymes known as cyclooxygenases (COX). Two types of this enzyme-COX1 and COX2-help produce substances in the body that contribute to inflammation, a common response to injury or illness.  When inflammation becomes chronic, it may cause DNA damage in cells in the inflamed area, which in turn may lead to serious diseases, such as colitis or cancer. Long-term aspirin use may reduce the inflammation that sometimes leads to cancer. 

There are some studies currently investigating the effects of aspirin. Included among them are: CAPP3, a follow-on study from CAPP2 that is testing three different doses in patients with Lynch Syndrome and Add-Aspirin, which is examining two different doses of aspirin after treatment for people who have undergone surgery for early-stage breast, colorectal, prostate, or oesophageal cancer.  The Add-Aspirin trial wants to find out if taking aspirin every day for 5 years can stop or delay an early cancer from returning. 11,000 people who have had, or are having, treatment for cancer are taking part. 

Aspirin and Cancer

Copyright: Demystifying Medicine, McMaster University