## Medication Reduces Colon Cancer Risk
August 10, 2024 15:01 Robert Klatt
Aspirin significantly reduces the risk of colon cancer in all individuals. Those with unhealthy lifestyles, such as poor diet or high body mass index (BMI), experience the most significant benefit.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) previously recommended daily aspirin intake for adults aged 50 to 59 to prevent cardiovascular events and colon cancer. However, this recommendation was withdrawn in 2016 due to concerns about increased gastrointestinal bleeding. Researchers at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School investigated the long-term impact of regular aspirin use on colon cancer risk.
The study involved examining health data from 107,655 participants in two large studies. Results showed that regular aspirin use was associated with a 25% reduction in the 10-year incidence of colon cancer compared to non-users. The greatest benefit was observed in individuals with unhealthy lifestyles.
“We wanted to identify those who would benefit most from aspirin in order to facilitate a personalized prevention strategy,” said the researchers.
The study concludes that aspirin can significantly reduce the elevated risk of colon cancer among individuals with multiple risk factors, while its impact is less pronounced in those with healthier lifestyles.
The study suggests that approximately 78 individuals with unhealthy lifestyles would need to take aspirin regularly for ten years to prevent one case of colon cancer, while 909 individuals with healthy lifestyles would need to take the medication to prevent one case.
This research highlights the potential of aspirin as a preventive measure for colorectal cancer, particularly among those with high-risk lifestyles. As personalized medicine evolves, healthcare providers may incorporate aspirin assessments into routine consultations to tailor preventive strategies based on individual health profiles.