Aspirin prevents bowel cancer in overweight people: study

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, according to a famous advice. However, it looks like a new advise will become popular among experts soon because based on a new study, an aspirin a day keeps bowel cancer away for overweight individuals.

The Daily Mail UK states that a research conducted in the Newcastle University and University of Leeds has discovered that individuals who are suffering from Lynch Syndrome and overweight are more at risk of developing bowel or colon cancer. Fortunately, the same study has also found that the risk can be prevented by regular intake of aspirin.

Sir John Burn, professor of Clinical Genetics and lead author of the research, said that although the results are significant for patients with Lynch Syndrome, it can also affect the rest of the public because most people struggle with weight management and aspirin can be taken as an extra precaution. As obesity can increase inflammatory response, aspirin may be suppressing this reaction, which can be studied further to identify what causes cancer.

The researchers have followed a group of 937 Lynch Syndrome patients from over 16 countries, Medical News Today reports. Patients have been randomly assigned to take two 600mg aspirins per day or a placebo for two years. After ten years, the researchers have followed up with the patients and have discovered that 55 developed colon cancers, of which mostly are obese patients.

John Mathers, professor of Human Nutrition, explained that in a surprising turn of events, obesity can be a trigger for cancer even if the individual has genetic tendency to the disease. The professor added that obesity doubles the risk for people suffering from other disorders like Lynch Syndrome. Furthermore, for every body mass index unit, there is a seven-percent risk of colon cancer.

A more in-depth follow-up trial will be launched soon, using 3000 participants to test how much the dosage of aspirin will be, Mirror UK adds. It will still use two aspirins per day but will vary the doses to check which will be more effective in prevention of the cancer.

Professor Burn warned individuals who wish to try the method to consult an expert first because taking aspirins may result to adverse reactions like ulcers and other stomach problems. However, he encouraged individuals with a strong family history to give the results a thought because it may help them in the near future.

The study has been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and has been funded by the UK Medical Research Council, the European Union, Cancer Research UK and Bayer Pharma.