Increasing incidence of colorectal cancer with advancing age"Does low-dose aspirin I am taking to prevent heart attack also helps prevent colon cancer?" you may ask.
Well, many clinical trials and meta-analysis studies were conducted to evaluate risks and benefits of aspirin in prevention of colorectal cancer. Several studies concluded that aspirin was associated with a 20-40 percent reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer in people who had average risks. However, this benefit was observed only in patients who consistently took high dose of aspirin for 10 to 14 years. Taking high dose of aspirin is associated with adverse effects such as gastritis, duodenitis, gastroduodenal ulcers, bleeding, hepatitis, renal failure.
There is evidence that low-dose aspirin, 81-162mg, which is used in prevention of coronary heart disease, is not associated with a reduction in the risk of colon cancer.
For people with high risk of cancer such as those with familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or personal history of colon cancer, more studies are needed to elucidate the net benefits and risks of aspirin use.
At this time, the United States Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend use of aspirin for prevention of colorectal cancer because risks outweigh benefits.
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