Aspirin linked to lower risk of breast cancer

[Guest guest]

Aspirin is really turning out to be a " wonder " drug. There are now so many

reasons to take it: lower risk of colon cancer, Alzheimer's and now breast

cancer.................

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1522-2003Apr9.html

[Guest guest]

Yes aspirin is good stuff but I suspect some of it's magic is that it's anti inflammatory.The SAD needs help in this regard... If you've got good omega 3/omega 6 balance and your diet under control it might be neutral, if your blood is already thin it may be a negative. OTOH if you have a headache it can sure be a miracle drug....

JR

-----Original Message-----From: Francesca Skelton [mailto:fskelton@...]Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 3:33 PMsupport groupSubject: [ ] Aspirin linked to lower risk of breast cancerAspirin is really turning out to be a "wonder" drug. There are now so manyreasons to take it: lower risk of colon cancer, Alzheimer's and now breastcancer.................http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1522-2003Apr9.html

[Guest guest]

--- " john roberts " <johnhrob@n...> wrote:

> Yes aspirin is good stuff but I suspect some of it's magic is

> that it's anti inflammatory.

Aspirin has its share of problems.

COX-1 inhibition is the most obvious one:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1870635.stm

Aspirin causes gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

NSAIDS (like aspirin) are the second most common cause of ulcers.

COX-2 inhibition seems to be what most people would like -

and they are available - but not quite as cheaply as aspirin.

COX-2 inhibition produces painkilling, anti-inflammatory - and anti-

cancer effects.

Painkillers deprive the body of important warning signals about

problems and dangers - and inflammation is the body's signal to

the immune system that healing is required somewhere.

In short these enzymes are manufactured by the body for good reason -

and suppressing them has its share of side effects.

Asprin has some life extension properties in the lab - COX-2

inhibition suppresses cancer - for example.

However it might be that lab animals are less likely to be exposed

to infectious diseases - in which case an asprin down-side - due

to its anti-inflammatory effect - might be being masked there.

Maybe they are also less likely to be exposed to predators, falls -

and other sources of pain. In which case having their sense of

pain diminished might matter less to them as well.

FWIW, I attempt to avoid COX-1 inhibitors - including aspirin.

I consume some specific COX-2 inhibitors - e.g. turmeric - but

regard their use with some considerable suspicion.