Gastrointestinal cancer: Aspirin increases life expectancy
This classic drug seems to have more than one trick in its bag. According to a study, it doubles the life expectancy in cases of gastrointestinal cancer.
Already known for its beneficial role in preventing strokes and heart attacks in women over 65, as well as to ward off cancer risks, aspirin (the European equivalent to our regional Panadol) is once again talked about. This time is its ability to improve the prognosis of people with gastrointestinal cancer (colon, rectum, esophagus).
A HOPE OF LONGER LIFE
This discovery was presented at the European Cancer Congress 2015 by a team of Dutch researchers. They analysed the available data from nearly 14,000 patients with gastrointestinal cancer diagnosed between 1998 and 2011. By focusing on treatments received, scientists were able to show a positive association between taking aspirin and chances of survival. If only 28% of patients survived after 5 years, those who take daily aspirin after diagnosis were twice as likely to be still alive. Valid results no matter the age, general health and sex of patients and do not depend on the severity of cancer or other treatment history (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc). Researchers believe that these results reflect the antiplatelet effect of aspirin. Platelets are blood components whose function is to halt bleeding and repair damaged vessels. At present, the assumption is that the circulating tumor cells (traveling in the body from the tumor and are implanted in the body where they form metastases) manage to escape our immune system and are ‘hiding’ in some way behind the repairs. By inhibiting the effects of platelets, aspirin allows the immune system to attack the circulating tumor cells.
RESEARCH ON ASPIRIN CONTINUES
A Netherlands study is underway to assess the effects of taking daily 80mg of aspirin per day in elderly people suffering from colon cancer. The researchers wish to extend their investigations to other gastrointestinal cancers to obtain convincing evidence that aspirin is a treatment that can benefit many patients. “Since aspirin is cheap, is no longer a patented medicine and has few side effects, it would have a huge impact on both patients and health systems” says Dr. Frouws, who led the study.
Now the scientific work is to determine the optimal dose and duration of aspirin therapy, and the benefit/risk balance. Indeed, in some people, aspirin is strongly discouraged. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before ingesting.
Source: The European Cancer Organisation / EurekaAlert, September 2015!.
Maureen Diament and Nur Syazana H.
