Cancer: Why Aspirin May Play a Role in Treatment
According to a recent study, a small dose of aspirin given daily to heart cancer patients can reduce the risk of metastases spreading.
Cancer treatment is a sensitive subject. Cancer cells which are spreading, and which are the leading cause of premature mortality in France, cannot apparently be eradicated by herbal juices or self-medication. But a new study, more specifically a meta-analysis (a global analysis conducted from many existing studies on a topic) British Journal of Cancer It is concluded that the integration of aspirin, a very common anti-inflammatory drug, may be interesting in the context of cancer treatment. is based on 118 studiesConducted at approx A million patients Sufferers of all types of cancer, researchers at Cardiff University estimated that Aspirin can prevent metastases from spreading And Reduces vascular complicationsAssociated with blood clots.
A small amount is enough
To obtain a beneficial effect, according to the researchers the daily intake should be low: 75 or 81 mg/day (one tablet ranges from 500 mg to 1 g). In addition to proper treatment, this would involve adding medication “20% of deaths from all causes including cancer”Because it will target a number of key biological mechanisms in cancer. “Aspirin’s benefits in cancer treatment have been demonstrated since 1968”.Peter Ellwood, Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University, explains in a press release, who believes that “Positive Evidence” This was provided by studies. The sooner aspirin is taken, the more useful it will be.
What are the risks?
Aspirin is a drug to take with caution. It helps reduce inflammation in case of pain and fever, but also thins the blood. It is because of this anticoagulant action that women are not recommended to take it when they are menstruating. Although studies have shown its effectiveness in preventing recurrences in people who have had a stroke or heart attack, it is not necessary to take it when you are in good health. In contrast, aspirin may increase the riskGastrointestinal bleeding.
The original purpose of this meta-analysis was to verify that taking daily aspirin did not increase the risks in people with cancer. But the researchers could not find out “There is no valid evidence of fatal bleeding attributable to aspirin”.and confirmed “Relative Security” Medicine in this particular case. Indeed, if stomach bleeding is linked to aspirin, this is it “Less severe than gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with stomach ulcers or stomach infections.”. So they believe that Benefit-risk Aspirin is favored Positive. According to him, its low cost, combined with its good availability worldwide, may allow it “Big Profit” If aspirin is overused in this setting.
This article was originally published on December 6, 2023.
You may also be interested in:
⋙ Aspirin, paracetamol: They should not be given to dogs or cats, ANSES warns
⋙ Aspirin, anti-cancer, anti-viral…: Medicines from nature
⋙ And to think that aspirin could be invented by a French guy!