Acetylsalicylic Acid Linked to Lower Risk of Cancer and Heart Disease

Regular acetylsalicylic acid use may significantly reduce the incidence of
both cancer and heart disease, according to a large new study, but other
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, have no effect.
Researchers studied 22,507 postmenopausal women, following them for 10
years. All reported their acetylsalicylic acid and NSAID use as part of a
detailed physical and behavioral health questionnaire. None of the women had
cancer or heart disease at the start of the study.
After controlling for age, exercise, diet and other factors, those who used
acetylsalicylic acid had a 16 percent reduced risk of getting cancer, and a
13 percent reduced risk of cancer death, compared with women who never used
it. Acetylsalicylic acid use was also associated with a 25 percent reduced
risk of dying from coronary artery disease and an 18 percent reduction in
all-cause mortality compared with those who never took acetylsalicylic acid.
But use of other NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen had no effect, and there
was no significantly reduced risk among acetylsalicylic acid users who were
currently smoking. The study was published in the Journal of the National
Cancer Institute.
The authors acknowledged that the study was not a randomized trial, that the
questionnaire did not assess duration of acetylsalicylic acid use, and that
the participants were all postmenopausal women, most of whom were white.
"It would be premature at this point to advise women to take acetylsalicylic
acid," said Dr. Aditya Bardia, the lead author.
"The study does produce provocative evidence that acetylsalicylic acid can
reduce mortality, but for now it would be best that women talk to their
health care provider about the risks and benefits of acetylsalicylic acid
use." [AAFP]