According to researchers, a low dose of aspirin can reduce the risk of death from cancer, especially if you are overweight.
The study revealed that people who take aspirin three or more times a week have a lower risk of death, whether due to cancer or other reasons.
The results of the study showed that low doses of aspirin reduced the risk of cancer death by 15. It reduced risk of death from other causes by 19%. The study was conducted between 1993 and 2008 in a cancer screening trial.
Why is the risk of death particularly reduced in people who are overweight?
According to the study, people who are overweight and have a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 had much more predominant effects from aspirin. It showed to reduce risk of death from gastrointestinal cancer by 28% and colon cancer by 34%.
According to Dr. Holli Loomans-Kropp, the main focus of the study was on deaths from colorectal cancer. This is because there is evidence that taking aspirin reduces the risk of gastrointestinal-related deaths. The results of this study support the recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), in which they recommend that people aged 50 to 59 take low doses of aspirin to prevent the risk of colon cancer.
On the other hand, the preventive use of aspirin has had controversy in recent years. In fact, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association changed their guidelines in order to recommend low-dose aspirin only in people at high risk of heart disease or stroke. The associations believe that the benefits from taking a low-dose aspirin were less than the potential complications.
However, the USPSTF continues to recommend that middle-aged people with only a 10% chance or greater of developing cardiovascular disease consume a low dose of aspirin.
Should you take aspirin?
Talk to your doctor about whether you should take aspirin on a daily basis. Your doctor may suggest you try aspirin therapy if:
- You have had a heart attack or a stroke.
- You are at high risk of having a heart attack even if you’ve never had one before.
- You had a coronary bypass surgery or any coronary artery disease.
- You have a heart disease risk factors and/or diabetes.
The benefits of taking a low dose of aspirin are not greater than the risk of bleeding in people who have a low risk for heart attack. Remember to check with your doctor before you start taking aspirin therapy.
