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Taking Aspirin Associated With Reduction in Colorectal Cancer Among High-Risk Population

Article

Originally published in Mass General Brigham

Key Findings

  • After conducting a study of over 100,000 people, Mass General Brigham researchers found that the use of aspirin led to a reduction for colon cancer risk in people with less healthy lifestyles
  • This risk reduction was less prominent in people who had a healthier lifestyle
  • Information gained by the study could lead to the use of aspirin in preventative medicine

Aspirin has been controversial in preventative medicine. Formerly, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force had rescinded their recommendation of using aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events and colorectal cancer. This was a recommendation for all adults aged 50 to 59. The reason they withdrew this was partly because of concerns about aspirin increasing the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of death, and there is a need for preventative medicine. This study, published in JAMA Oncology, conducted by members of Massachusetts General Hospital, wanted to target people to create personalized prevention plans. Participants in the study took a normal 325 mg dose of aspirin twice a week. However, previous studies indicate a low dose of aspirin for preventative purposes is better.

The senior authors are Andrew Chan, MD, MPH, director of Epidemiology for the Mass General Cancer Center and Gastroenterology, director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer, Long H. Nguyen, MD, MS, a physician investigator in the Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit and Division of Gastroenterology, and the lead author is gastroenterologist Daniel Sikavi, MD.

Results from this study showed that aspirin use can significantly decrease elevated risk in less healthy people with risk factors for colorectal cancer. Individuals with unhealthy lifestyles who took aspirin had a 2.12% chance of getting colorectal cancer, compared to people who did not take aspirin, who had a 3.4% chance.

This study may encourage healthcare professionals to reconsider aspirin use for patients who lead less healthy lifestyles.

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