Aspirin Users With Common Genes May Get Less Colon Cancer

CHICAGO (AP) — Researchers have identified common genetic traits that may explain how aspirin can help protect against colon cancer. It’s too soon to recommend aspirin for colon cancer prevention and the needed genetic tests aren’t available outside of research. But they might be someday if future studies confirm the results. Here are five things to know about the study: HOW DID THEY DO IT? The researchers pooled genetic and lifestyle data from 10 studies involving more than 17,000 people, about half had colon or rectal cancer. In those studies, participants were asked about various habits; more than one-third used aspirin frequently. They also had blood tests from which genetic material was analyzed. Previous studies have suggested aspirin might be protective but this one offers additional evidence of which genes may play a role. MAIN RESULTS Aspirin users were less likely than nonusers to get colon or rectal cancer if they had genetic traits found in about 90 percent of the participants. Overall, frequent aspirin use reduced chances of developing colo-rectal cancer by an average of about 30 percent, compared with nonusers. The studies used different definitions of frequent use, but in most it was at least twice weekly for more than a month. The results were published in Tuesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association. NO ASPIRIN BENEFIT? In about 4 percent of the participants, frequent aspirin use did not appear to reduce risk and may even have had...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News aspirin CBS Boston Colon Cancer JAMA Protect WBZ Source Type: news