Aspirin's Anti-Colon Cancer Effect

A recent study about Aspirin revealed a fact that it can reduce the risk of colon cancer, some of our very well-known medical giants like WebMD, Mayoclinic.com, ScienceDaily.com, medpagetoday.com, and various news sites back this new study.

By Ryan Jaslow is CBSNews.com's health editor writes:

Aspirin may dramatically reduce risk for colon cancer, according to a new study. But, the effect seems to be limited to people who lack certain genetic mutations tied to tumor risk.

The study that looked at nearly 130,000 people adds more evidence to the cheap, chalky white pill's disease-fighting properties and its limitations.

Aspirin is a drug known as a no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and is taken for fever reduction and reducing pain and muscle aches. Many people also take aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks and other cardiac problems.

The drug has also been linked to anti-cancer properties. A Stanford University study in March found regular aspirin use reduced risk for developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Studies have also found aspirin may protect against cancers of the liver and colon, and reduce the risk of cancer death.

"If validated in future studies, these findings add to the body of evidence that suggest certain patients with colorectal cancer may greatly improve their odds of survival with an aspirin regimen," he told UAB News.

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter on WebMD News writes:

Specifically, regular aspirin use was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancers characterized by the "typical" form of BRAF, but not with the risk of colon cancers with mutated forms of BRAF.

These findings suggest that BRAF-mutant colon tumor cells may be less sensitive to the effects of aspirin, according to the study in the June 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The researchers also found that taking a higher number of aspirin tablets a week -- more than 14 tablets -- was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer with typical BRAF, but this was not seen with BRAF-mutated cancers, according to a journal news release. Source: WebMD.

While author Andrew T. Chan, M.D., M.P.H Mention the whole study facts

According to Andrew T.Chan, the association between aspirin use and risk of colorectal cancer was affected by mutation of the gene BRAF, with regular aspirin use associated with a lower risk of BRAF-wild-type colorectal cancer but not with risk of BRAF-mutated cancer, findings that suggest that BRAF-mutant colon tumor cells may be less sensitive to the effect of aspirin, according to a study in the June 26 issue of JAMA.

By John Gever, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today

He while reviewing these study mentions Some Key points in a Title called “Action Points”;

Action Points

Note that this analysis of two large cohort studies confirmed aspirin's mildly protective effect against colon cancer, but only in reducing the risk of BRAF wildtype cancers.

Be aware that the absolute risk difference with aspirin usage is quite low; the potential clinical benefit of this agent should be weighed against risks of chronic aspirin usage.

Aspirin's preventive effect on colorectal cancer is limited to tumors without BRAF gene mutations, researchers said.

"In summary, these results identify biomarkers of response to aspirin administered either preventively or therapeutically and are likely to help tailor the use of aspirin in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer."

The study is published in the June 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. It was funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH); the Bennett Family Fund for Targeted Therapies Research; and the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. Chan has previously worked as a consultant for Bayer Healthcare, which manufactures aspirin.