Does Aspirin Help Prevent Cancer– Here is What We Know

You’ve heard it before — taking aspirin can reduce your risk of getting certain cancers. But is it true? And if so, how does it work?

The theory behind why aspirin is linked to cancer risk has to do with inflammation — or the body’s natural response to injured tissue. Inflammation, when working properly, can help the body to fight off things like bacteria. But when we have an excess amount of inflammation, that’s when problems can occur.

When speaking to SurvivorNet about inflammation and cancer risk in general, Dr. Stephen Freedland, of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, explained that when it comes to inflammation, we need a delicate balance.

“Your immune system is developed to attack foreign objects … but over time … what happens is that inflammation can overspill and we can start to attack out own bodies,” Dr. Freedland said. “Inflammation is something you want to turn on to fight your bacteria and then turn off right away. Sometimes we don’t turn it off so quickly, and that can over time, lead to damage. That’s the concept of inflammation leading to damage which can ultimately lead to cancer risk.”

This excess inflammation can eventually cause DNA damage, which can cause cancer. The idea behind the daily dose of aspirin is to keep the inflammation in check so that the risk for cancer is lower. Here’s what we know for sure about the concept of aspirin to reduce cancer risk:

• People with certain health issues, such as obesity, long-lasting infections, or abnormal immune reactions may be suffering from chronic inflammation.
• There have been several studies looking at the use of aspirin to reduce cancer risk, and a low-dose aspirin, in certain situations, was found to lower a person’s risk of getting ovarian, prostate, colorectal and liver cancers.
• Despite the promising results, the reduction in risk was not great — as the experts we consulted put it — the link between aspirin and reduced cancer risk is not “earth-shattering.”
• Daily aspirin use comes with a handful of possible side effects like bleeding and allergic reaction.

So, should you incorporate a low-dose aspirin into your daily routine if you’re worried about cancer? While some studies show promise, the answer right now is no. People with average cancer risk would probably not see much benefit from daily aspirin. A new study did suggest that people with a certain risk-level of colon cancer should be prescribed daily aspirin. However, the risk/benefit ratio must be considered for every person.

If you believe you have a high risk of developing cancer, or aspirin is something you’re interested in, it’s worth a chat with your doctor.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.