Scientists prove regular aspirin intake halves cancer risk

[Guest guest]

Public release date: 28-Oct-2011

Contact: O'Callaghan

c.ocallaghan@...

Queen's University Belfast

Scientists prove regular aspirin intake halves cancer risk

Scientists including those from Queen's University have discovered that

taking regular aspirin halves the risk of developing hereditary cancers.

Hereditary cancers are those which develop as a result of a gene fault

inherited from a parent. Bowel and womb cancers are the most common

forms of hereditary cancers. Fifty thousand people in the UK are

diagnosed with bowel and womb cancers every year; 10 per cent of these

cancers are thought to be hereditary.

The decade-long study, which involved scientists and clinicians from 43

centres in 16 countries and was funded by Cancer Research UK, followed

nearly 1,000 patients, in some cases for over 10 years. The study found

that those who had been taking a regular dose of aspirin had 50 per cent

fewer incidences of hereditary cancer compared with those who were not

taking aspirin.

The research focused on people with Lynch syndrome which is an inherited

genetic disorder that causes cancer by affecting genes responsible for

detecting and repairing damage in the DNA. Around 50 per cent of those

with Lynch syndrome develop cancer, mainly in the bowel and womb. The

study looked at all cancers related to the syndrome, and found that

almost 30 per cent of the patients not taking aspirin had developed a

cancer compared to around 15 per cent of those taking the aspirin.

Those who had taken aspirin still developed the same number of polyps,

which are thought to be precursors of cancer, as those who did not take

aspirin but they did not go on to develop cancer. It suggests that

aspirin could possibly be causing these cells to destruct before they

turn cancerous.

Over 1,000 people were diagnosed with bowel cancer in Northern Ireland

last year; 400 of these died from the disease. Ten per cent of bowel

cancer cases are hereditary and by taking aspirin regularly the number

of those dying from the hereditary form of the disease could be halved.

Professor on from Queen's University in Belfast, who led

the Northern Ireland part of the study, said: " The results of this

study, which has been ongoing for over a decade, proves that the regular

intake of aspirin over a prolonged period halves the risk of developing

hereditary cancers. The effects of aspirin in the first five years of

the study were not clear but in those who took aspirin for between five

and ten years the results were very clear. "

" This is a huge breakthrough in terms of cancer prevention. For those

who have a history of hereditary cancers in their family, like bowel and

womb cancers, this will be welcome news. Not only does it show we can

reduce cancer rates and ultimately deaths, it opens up other avenues for

further cancer prevention research. We aim now to go forward with

another trial to assess the most effective dosage of aspirin for

hereditary cancer prevention and to look at the use of aspirin in the

general population as a way of reducing the risk of bowel cancer.

" For anyone considering taking aspirin I would recommend discussing this

with your GP first as aspirin is known to bring with it a risk of

stomach complaints, including ulcers. " The research is due to be

published in the Lancet Online on Oct. 28 2011.

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For media inquiries please contact O'Callaghan on 00

44-2890975391 / 07814422572 or c.ocallaghan@...

Notes to Editors:

1. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. Just under

40,000 people were diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2008 in the UK.

2. Lynch syndrome is a hereditary disorder caused by a mutation in a

mismatch repair gene in which affected individuals have a higher than

normal chance of developing colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, and

various other types of aggressive cancers, often at a young age

3. Professor on is available for interview. Interview bids

to O'Callaghan on 44-2890975391 / 07814422572 or

c.ocallaghan@...

4. This was an international study led by Newcastle University involving

43 centres in 16 countries.

5. Over the course of the clinical trial, funding came from Cancer

Research UK, UK Medical Research Council, European Union, Bayer

Corporation, National Starch and Chemical Company, The Newcastle Upon

Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Bayer Pharma.

6. To find out more, or be a part of the next trial, visit

http://www.CAPP3.org

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/qub-spr102711.php