Regular use of aspirin may keep you away from oncologists, at least when it comes to colorectal cancer, according to a new study. It appears that individuals with unhealthy lifestyles see the greatest benefits, as reported by CNN. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, causing over 52,500 deaths in the United States alone in 2023.
While genetic factors can contribute to colorectal cancer, certain lifestyle choices also appear to increase risks, including poor diet, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, and high body mass index (BMI). In addition to adopting healthier lifestyles, doctors have often recommended low doses of aspirin to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation for aspirin in 2016 but reversed it in 2022 due to concerns over potential bleeding risks. Aspirin may also lead to gastrointestinal issues.
With this change in recommendations, the authors of the new study aimed to explore if there were any groups that might benefit more from this practice and who might be worth the risk of taking aspirin.
For the study, published Thursday in JAMA Oncology, the authors examined data from over 107,655 individuals who were part of large cohorts of medical professionals. Participants were tracked for at least 10 years; in addition to monitoring for colorectal cancer, they were given questionnaires to assess their lifestyle habits. The questionnaires evaluated BMI, alcohol consumption, diet, smoking status, and exercise frequency. Using two or more regular-strength aspirin or six or more low-dose aspirin weekly was classified as regular use for this research.
It was found that regular users had an 18 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer compared to non-users. Participants identified as having less healthy lifestyles benefited the most, particularly if they smoked or had a BMI over 25, which indicates being overweight.
Dr. Daniel Sekafi, the lead author of the study and a gastroenterologist in Massachusetts, stated in an email: "Our findings show that aspirin can proportionally lower the significantly elevated risks in those with multiple risk factors for colorectal cancer." He added, "For those with healthier lifestyles, the basic risk of colorectal cancer is lower… and their benefit from aspirin remains noteworthy, albeit less pronounced."
