Taking Aspirin Weekly May Cut Colorectal Cancer Risk: Key Findings from Recent Study
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/15th August 2024
A recent study has revealed that taking two aspirin tablets weekly could significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, especially among individuals leading unhealthy lifestyles. The research, conducted by Mass General Brigham, involved approximately 108,000 health professionals, primarily around the age of 50.
Participants in the study recorded their aspirin intake and were assigned a lifestyle score based on various factors such as body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, physical activity levels, diet, and smoking habits. The study involved either two standard aspirin tablets, each containing 325 milligrams, or six low-dose pills, each containing 81 milligrams, taken weekly.
The study tracked participants for over 30 years, during which about 2,500 cases of colorectal cancer were documented. Colorectal cancer, which originates from polyps in the inner lining of the colon, can be life-threatening if it spreads to other body parts.
The findings, published in JAMA Oncology, highlight that individuals with unhealthy lifestyles—those who are obese, smoke heavily, or consume excessive alcohol—benefited the most from aspirin use. Among these individuals, the risk of developing colorectal cancer was 3.4% without regular aspirin use compared to 2.1% with it. Conversely, participants with healthier lifestyles had a lower baseline risk, with colorectal cancer rates being 1.5% among regular aspirin users and 1.6% among non-users. Dr. Daniel Sikavi, the lead author of the study and a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, noted that the results indicate that aspirin can significantly reduce the heightened risk for those with multiple risk factors for colorectal cancer.
The mechanism behind aspirin’s protective effect involves its ability to inhibit the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme. This inhibition triggers the production of two tumor-suppressing microRNA molecules, miR-34a and miR-34b/c, and activates other enzymes that regulate cellular metabolism. By reducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, aspirin helps to activate the miR-34 genes in the cell nucleus, thus impeding tumor growth and formation.
Colorectal cancer is a major global health issue, being the third most common cancer with over 1.9 million new cases reported in 2020. Projections indicate that by 2040, there will be approximately 3.2 million new cases. The cancer affects the colon wall, which consists of mucous membrane, tissue, and muscle layers. It starts in the mucosa—the innermost lining of the colon—where cells mutate to form polyps that can eventually become cancerous. Although typically diagnosed in individuals aged 50 and older, increasing unhealthy lifestyle factors have led to a rise in cases among younger individuals.
Symptoms of colon cancer can be subtle or absent, but common signs include blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and breathlessness. Recognizing these symptoms early can be crucial for timely intervention and treatment.
