Breast Cancer Survival Might Be Improved With Aspirin
Posted Feb 17 2010 6:49am
Aspirin is one of the most common drugs found in medicine cabinets around the world. It is used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation and does so by blocking the function of chemicals in the body that cause these conditions. Because of its anti-inflammatory actions, aspirin is often prescribed in low doses by physicians for cardiovascular conditions. New research also suggests that regular aspirin use might have benefits for breast cancer survivors.
In this new breast cancer study, investigators examined whether aspirin use decreased the risk of dying from breast cancer in women with breast cancer. Information on the frequency of aspirin use (1 day per week, 2-5 days per week, or 6-7 days per week) and breast cancer mortality was obtained from breast cancer survivors in the Nurses' Health Study who were diagnosed with Stage 1, 2, or 3 breast cancer. Analysis of this information yielded the following results
Taking aspirin 2-5 days per week was associated with a 71% reduction in risk of death and a 60% reduction in the risk of distant recurrence (metastasis).
Taking aspirin 6-7 days per week reduced risk of breast cancer mortality by 64% and risk of metastasis by 43%.
Aspirin use at a rate of only 1 day per week showed no breast cancer benefits.
The benefits of regular aspirin use for breast cancer survival did not differ by stage of breast cancer, menopausal status, body mass index, or estrogen-receptor status.
This is exciting news that will hopefully be confirmed by additional clinical trials. The summary of this research study did not mention what dose of aspirin the women in the study were using; however, regular use of aspirin is generally restricted to low doses (81 mg/day) in individuals at risk for heart attacks and strokes. High doses of aspirin used on a frequent basis can have a variety of unwanted side effects like nausea, heart burn, and bleeding of the stomach or intestine, so it is important to discuss regular aspirin use with one's physician. While regular aspirin use will probably not be appropriate for all breast cancer survivors, this research suggests that aspirin might be a simple, inexpensive way for some breast cancer survivors to improve their long-term outcomes.
To learn about some of the diet and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your personal risk of breast cancer, read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com.
In this new breast cancer study, investigators examined whether aspirin use decreased the risk of dying from breast cancer in women with breast cancer. Information on the frequency of aspirin use (1 day per week, 2-5 days per week, or 6-7 days per week) and breast cancer mortality was obtained from breast cancer survivors in the Nurses' Health Study who were diagnosed with Stage 1, 2, or 3 breast cancer. Analysis of this information yielded the following results
- Taking aspirin 2-5 days per week was associated with a 71% reduction in risk of death and a 60% reduction in the risk of distant recurrence (metastasis).
- Taking aspirin 6-7 days per week reduced risk of breast cancer mortality by 64% and risk of metastasis by 43%.
- Aspirin use at a rate of only 1 day per week showed no breast cancer benefits.
- The benefits of regular aspirin use for breast cancer survival did not differ by stage of breast cancer, menopausal status, body mass index, or estrogen-receptor status.
This is exciting news that will hopefully be confirmed by additional clinical trials. The summary of this research study did not mention what dose of aspirin the women in the study were using; however, regular use of aspirin is generally restricted to low doses (81 mg/day) in individuals at risk for heart attacks and strokes. High doses of aspirin used on a frequent basis can have a variety of unwanted side effects like nausea, heart burn, and bleeding of the stomach or intestine, so it is important to discuss regular aspirin use with one's physician. While regular aspirin use will probably not be appropriate for all breast cancer survivors, this research suggests that aspirin might be a simple, inexpensive way for some breast cancer survivors to improve their long-term outcomes.To learn about some of the diet and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your personal risk of breast cancer, read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com.