Study: Aspirin Before a Diagnosis May Lower Colorectal Cancer Mortality

A new study indicates that long-term aspirin use before a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) may be associated with lower CRC-specific mortality, according to a report in JNCI: The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The findings suggest pre-diagnosis aspirin use might help reduce CRC mortality in the overall population by limiting metastatic spread of colorectal tumors before diagnosis. Further, preventing distant metastases leads to fewer deaths from CRC, according to the press release.

The study used data from men and women enrolled in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort who were cancer-free at baseline, marked at the years 1992 and 1993, and diagnosed with CRC during follow-up through 2015. Mortality outcomes were then complete through to the end of 2016.

“These findings are important because colorectal cancer patients seek guidance on lifestyle factors to improve their prognosis,” said Peter T. Campbell, PhD, of the American Cancer Society, in a press release.

In addition, the study examined the associations of pre- and post-diagnosis use of aspirin and non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with CRC-specific mortality among CRC survivors, according to the press release.

“While more evidence is needed, preferably from randomized, controlled trials, findings from this study are an important resource to inform clinicians and CRC survivors about the potential benefits and harms of aspirin and non-aspirin NSAIDs use,” Campbell said in a press release.

REFERENCE

Study shows aspirin before a diagnosis may lower colorectal cancer mortality. American Cancer Society. http://pressroom.cancer.org/AspirinCRCSurvival. Published February 2, 2021. Accessed February 2, 2021.