Aspirin use associated with lower colon cancer risk

Aspirin use was associated with a lower risk of colon cancer for some patients, according to a study published Aug. 1 in JAMA Oncology.

The Mass General Brigham-led study assessed the association of colon cancer risk and aspirin use between October 1, 2021, and May 22, 2023. Researchers compiled and analyzed data of 107,655 study participants from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 1980-2018 Nurses’ Health Study and the 1986-2018 Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.

Of all study participants, 2,544 cases of colon cancer were found. The 10-year colon cancer incidence was 1.98% for participants who used aspirin regularly, compared to 2.95% for participants who did not use aspirin. Researchers defined regular aspirin use as taking two or more standard sized tablets per week. 

Researchers assigned healthy lifestyle scores to participants based on BMI, alcohol use, physical activity, diet and smoking. Participants with the lowest healthy lifestyle scores had a higher risk reduction from aspirin use (1.28%) compared to participants with the highest healthy lifestyle scores (0.11%).

"The findings of the study suggest that lifestyle risk factors may be useful to identify individuals who may have a more favorable risk-benefit profile for cancer prevention with aspirin," the study's authors said.

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