An international research programme has been launched to examine the role of aspirin in cancer prevention.
The study, launched by Cancer Research UK and led by Queen Mary University London (QMUL), will seek to establish who is likely to benefit most from the drug and who is at greater risk of bleeding side-effects.
The researchers from across the globe will investigate what the best dose is, how long to take it for and how aspirin works to reduce cancer risk.
The study is being launched following estimates that taking low-dose aspirin could result in a 10% drop in the number of people dying from some cancers. However, for every 17 lives saved by preventing cancer or cardiovascular incidents, there would be two deaths caused by strokes, haemorrhage or ulcers.
Cancer Research UK’s epidemiology expert Professor Jack Cuzick, who is based at QMUL, said while research has shown that taking aspirin for ten years could benefit most people between the ages of 50 and 70 years, there is not yet a way that can identify those who have a higher risk of bleeding.
The research team will also look at evidence that aspirin reduces the risk of bowel cancer and can cut the risk of stomach and oesophageal cancers, as well as other types of the disease.
Prof Cuzick said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to finally answer the questions that stand in the way of aspirin being more widely used to cut cancer risk. By bringing together researchers from the lab right through to epidemiology – who’ve not had the opportunity to work together before, it will help us to understand how aspirin prevents cancer and who will benefit most.”
Dr Fiona Reddington, head of population research at Cancer Research UK, added: “Bringing together the world’s leading researchers to tackle some of the biggest challenges in cancer is at the heart of the Cancer Research UK Catalyst Award. This team will have the unprecedented opportunity to understand the major role aspirin can play in preventing cancer.”
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