Aspirin could prevent bowel cancer

The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, provides the most definitive evidence yet of aspirin’s cancer-fighting properties.

Following the findings of the ten year research study, leading scientists said that aspirin treatment could prevent up to 10,000 cancers over the next 30 years and possibly save 1,000 lives.

Aspirin is known to increase the risk of internal bleeding and stomach ulcers, but according to researchers, its preventative qualities could be worth the risk for people who are more pre-disposed to getting cancer.

The study focused on patients with Lynch syndrome, who, because of a genetic fault, are much more likely to get bowel cancer and a number of other solid organ cancers.

Around 1 in 1,000 people are affected by Lynch syndrome, but carriers of the defective genes account for 1 in 30 of bowel cancer cases.

In a study group of 861 patients, a daily dose of aspirin taken for two years reduced the rate of bowl cancer by 63 per cent.

Read more on aspirin: the new anti-cancer 'miracle drug'

Prevention of 10,000 cancers

The study was undertaken by a group of scientists from 43 centres in 16 different countries.

Lead scientist Professor Sir John Burn, from the University of Newcastle, said there could be 30,000 people with Lynch syndrome in the UK who might benefit from aspirin treatment.

“If we were to put them all on two aspirins a day now, in the next 30 years or so we would prevent 10,000 cancers,” he said.

Sir John acknowledged that this dosage may cause ulcers, which might not be worth it for people who don’t have a high risk of cancer.

But added: “If we can prevent 10,000 cancers in return for 1,000 ulcers and 100 strokes, in most people’s minds that’s a good deal, especially if you’ve grown up in a family with three, four, five, six people who have had cancer.”