Aspirin consumption can help in cancer survival

A recent study suggests that consumption of low-dose of aspirin can help cancer patients in their survival by 20 per cent and can also stop their cancer from spreading.

In a systematic review of the available scientific literature a team from Cardiff University's School of Medicine found a significant reduction in mortality and cancer spread by patients who took a low-level dose of aspirin in addition to their cancer treatment.

Lead researcher Peter Elwood said that there is a growing body of evidence that taking aspirin is of significant benefit in reducing some cancers.

Elwood added that whilst they know a low-dose of aspirin has been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer, its role in the treatment of cancer remains uncertain.

The team's review looked at all of the available data including five randomised trials and forty two observational studies of colorectal, breast and prostate cancers.

Researchers said that their review suggests that low-dose aspirin taken by patients with bowel, breast or prostate cancer, in addition to other treatments, is associated with a reduction in deaths of about 15-20 per cent, together with a reduction in the spread of the cancer.

As a result of the review, the team say their study highlights the need for randomised trials to establish the evidence needed to support low-dose aspirin as an effective additional treatment of cancer.

The study appears in the journal PLOS ONE.