Aspirin May Help Reduce Certain Breast Cancer Risks

New York, NY -- Researchers have found aspirin may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

"Our data ... bolster the case for the use of aspirin and (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as chemopreventive agents against breast cancer,"

-- Columbia University Researcher

Researchers have found aspirin may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

A study by Columbia University scientists of 2,884 women found those who took aspirin regularly were about 28 % less likely to develop breast cancer than those who never took aspirin.

Post-menopausal women had more benefit from aspirin than did pre-menopausal women.

Researchers think aspirin works by reducing the production of estrogen, and estrogen can cause some cancers to grow. Those are the 65 percent of breast cancers which have estrogen receptors, places where the hormone attaches. Aspirin reduces the amount of estrogen, so, tumors don't grow as well. Their work has been summarized in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers interviewed 1,442 women who had breast cancer and an equal number of similar women who did not.

They found women who had used any anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as aspirin, at least once a week for at least six months, were about 20 percent less likely to develop breast cancer compared with women who had never taken aspirin. The greatest protection appeared to be among women who took aspirin most frequently -- at least seven tablets a week.

Although the aspirin data is encouraging, early detection practices are still advised.

Aspirin Proven to Reduce Risk of First Heart Attacks by 1/3

"Our data ... bolster the case for the use of aspirin and (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as chemopreventive agents against breast cancer," the researchers wrote.

Aspirin was first developed in Germany around 1897 when chemist Felix Hoffman sought a remedy for his father's crippling arthritis. It is extracted from willow bark. Now, more than 100 years later, it appears aspirin's ultimate calling may be disease "prevention", not just "pain treatment".

Some Other Good and Bad Findings

In November 2002, aspirin was shown to conclusively reduces the risk of a first heart attack by 32%, according to a report by researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center & Miami Heart Institute. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Chicago.

However, in October, 2003, a study of 88,000 nurses, conducted by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, found that subjects who took two or more aspirins a week for 20 years or more had a 58 % higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Like all early claims, the data has yet to be fully corroborated by other labs.

Don’t Forget The Mammograms And Self-Exams

Although the connection between aspirin and breast cancer mitigation is encouraging, the data has yet to be corroborated. Women should continue with their regular early detection habits.

Doctors say to try to get in the habit of doing a breast self-examination once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you are no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month.

It is recommended a mammogram be done yearly for females over the age of 40.

Source: United Press International

Posted: 05/27/2004