Aspirin for Disease Prevention

Dr. Oz of Columbia University appears on the Oprah show from time to time. As part of his anti-aging list, he has recommended that people take two baby aspirin (160 mg) daily. He advises that aspirin therapy may reduce the risk of heart attacks and cancers.

Aspirin Therapy for Heart Disease Prevention

Aspirin prophylaxis has been proven to reduce deaths due to heart disease.

The U. S. Preventive Services Task Force continues to recommend prevention with aspirin therapy in people who have risks for heart disease. People at risk include men over 40, postmenopausal women, and anyone who smokes, is overweight, has high blood pressure, has high cholesterol, or has diabetes. The most favorable balance between the benefits and risks of aspirin therapy is in this group.

If blood pressure is not adequately controlled, the cardioprotective benefits of aspirin may be cancelled out and the risk of bleeding may be greater than in patients with normal blood pressure.

The best dose of aspirin for reducing cardiac events is no more than 75 mg to 150 mg (except in some high-risk women). It is possible that higher doses flatten this beneficial effect.

Aspirin Therapy for Colon Cancer Prevention

The lower doses of aspirin that are used for heart disease prevention do not reduce the occurrence of colorectal cancer.

Studies have proven that doses of aspirin of at least 300 mg per day, when used regularly for no less than five years, might reduce the occurrence of certain colon cancers.

It is not clear that aspirin therapy reduces deaths from colon cancer.

Since the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort and dangerous bleeding increases as the dose of aspirin increases, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that aspirin therapy not be used routinely to attempt to prevent colorectal cancer in individuals who are at or below average risk for colorectal cancer.

There is no strong evidence that using enteric-coated aspirin or buffered aspirin reduces the gastrointestinal side effects.

Aspirin Therapy for Breast Cancer Prevention

Some "observational studies" have shown promising results with aspirin in prevention of breast cancer. However, observational studies are not well controlled and are more open to dispute than controlled, double-blinded, clinical studies.

The American Cancer Society reports that there is no conclusive and consistent evidence proving that aspirin therapy may reduce the risk of breast cancer. They suggest that further studies will be required, especially controlled clinical trials, to answer the question about aspirin's role in the prevention of breast cancer.

The American Cancer Society says that, in light of the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and/or stroke with aspirin, the only population where benefits of aspirin therapy in women clearly outweigh bleeding risks is in those who have high risk for heart disease.

Overall Considerations for Aspirin Therapy Prophylaxis

General use of aspirin is not currently recommended by the American Cancer Society to prevent breast cancer or colon cancer.

General use of aspirin is not recommended by the American Heart Association in every woman or man to prevent heart disease. The association recommends: "You should not start aspirin therapy without first consulting your physician. The risks and benefits of aspirin therapy vary for each person."

The decision about using aspirin therapy to prevent any disease is best made with the help of your doctor based on the balance of benefits to you vs. risks.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is provided for information only. This information is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. I am not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by the information. Never substitute anything you read anywhere on the Internet for the advice of a qualified doctor!

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