Daily Aspirin May Do More Harm Than Good for Cancer Prevention
Summary
A recent Cochrane review questions the effectiveness of daily aspirin in preventing bowel cancer for the general population, challenging long-held beliefs about its role in reducing colorectal cancer risk among individuals at average risk.
Key Insights
Does daily aspirin prevent bowel cancer in people at average risk?
No, a Cochrane review of high-quality trials found that daily aspirin probably does not reduce bowel cancer risk in the first 5 to 15 years for people at average risk, with any potential long-term benefits after 10-15 years being highly uncertain due to low-certainty evidence from biased observational data. It carries immediate risks of serious bleeding.
Is daily aspirin recommended for everyone to prevent cancer?
No, the review does not support blanket recommendations for aspirin use solely to prevent bowel cancer in the general population at average risk, as benefits are not quick or reliable while bleeding risks start immediately; consult a healthcare professional, especially as benefits may apply to high-risk groups like those with Lynch syndrome.