Aspirin Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer Metastasis and Death
Risk of Breast Cancer Metastasis and Death Significantly Lowered by Aspirin
The study, which was published on February 16, 2010, in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, followed 4,164 female registered nurses who were diagnosed with breast cancer (stages I, II or III) between the years of 1976 and 2002, observing them through June 2006.
Once the nurses finished standard cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, they received surveys at regular intervals. The surveys requested information on aspirin usage, as well as the current state of their cancer.
Over the course of the study, 400 of the nurses experienced metastasis and 341 died from the disease. The women who took aspirin two to five days per week showed a 60 percent reduced risk of metastasis and 71 percent reduced risk of death from breast cancer. The nurses who took aspirin six to seven days per week had a 43 percent lower risk of metastasis and 64 percent lower risk of death from the disease. Taking aspirin once per week produced no discernable breast cancer benefits.
The survey did not record the aspirin dose used by each nurse. It is believed most of the nurses who took aspirin on a regular basis did so for heart disease prevention. The standard aspirin dose for heart health purposes is 81 mg per day.
Breast Cancer Benefits from Other Over-the-Counter Medications
Some of the nurses used non-aspirin non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which would include over-the-counter medications such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). While these medications did reduce the risk of breast cancer death, the affect was lower when compared to aspirin.
The women who used NSAIDs six or seven days per week showed a 48 percent reduction in breast cancer death. Women who used NSAIDs fewer days per week, or who took acetaminophen (Tylenol), did not lower their risk of death from the disease.
Why Aspirin Reduces the Spread of Breast Cancer
The researchers involved with this study believe aspirin has benefits for breast cancer patients due to the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug.
Aspirin and other NSAIDs control inflammation by blocking the effects of Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzymes. These Cox enzymes are required by the body to create prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals that cause swelling in body tissues.
Studies have shown breast cancer cells produce higher amounts of prostaglandins than healthy breast cells. Other studies have shown high levels of Cox-2 activity in metastasized breast cancer cells. By blocking the Cox enzymes, thereby reducing the amount of prostaglandins, aspirin has the potential to limit the cancer's ability to grow and spread.
More research is required to determine the full effect aspirin has on cancer cells and why it works better than other types of NSAIDs.
A Warning About Taking Aspirin when Treating Breast Cancer
This study involved women who had already completed their breast cancer treatments. Aspirin use is not recommended by patients who are currently involved with breast cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, due to the risk of interactions that can lead to serious side effects.
Even after breast cancer treatments have ended, aspirin can cause serious side effects, such as stomach bleeding. Breast cancer patients, like everyone else, should consult with their doctor before deciding to take aspirin on a regular basis.
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Sources:
American Society of Clinical Oncology:
Large Analysis Finds Breast Cancer Patients Who Take Aspirin Reduced Risk of Metastasis and Death by Half
Journal of Clinical Oncology:
Aspirin Intake and Survival After Breast Cancer
WebMD:
Pain Relief: How NSAIDs Work
Published by Amanda C. Strosahl
Born and raised on the banks of the Mississippi river, Amanda moved to the Greater Indianapolis area in 1994, where she worked alongside her husband in the newspaper industry until 2008. She now works as a f... View profile
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