E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Getty Images stock
Women who take a regular dose of aspirin may get a side benefit – a reduction in their risk of melanoma, a new study suggests.
And the more years women take the over-the-counter-medication, the lower the risk, according to the study which was published online today in Cancer.
“We think our results are very exciting and that they add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that aspirin may have some real anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties,” said study co-author Jean Tang, an assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University.
Tang and her colleagues scrutinized data from 59,806 Caucasian women who were taking part of the Women’s Health Initiative study. The women, who were between 50 and 79 years old at WHI’s outset, were followed for an average of 12 years. The researchers chose to concentrate on Caucasian women because melanoma is much more common among them.
At the beginning of the study, the women were asked which medications they were taking, what they ate and what activities they participated in.
The women in the asprin group took a dose of aspirin at least twice a week at baseline. When they were asked about aspirin use again three years later, 60-70 percent of the group were still taking it at least twice a week, Tang says.
Overall, women who used aspirin had a 21 percent lower risk of melanoma compared to those who eschewed the medication. The longer women used aspirin, the lower the rate of the potentially fatal skin cancer. So, those who had used aspirin for one to four years had an 11 percent reduction in risk, as compared to 30 percent among those taking aspirin for five or more years.
In their calculations, the researchers took into account numerous melanoma risk factors, including differences in pigmentation, tanning practices, sunscreen use.
The researchers don’t know how aspirin lowers melanoma risk, but they’ve got some theories.
“Aspirin reduces inflammation,” Tang said. “Cancer cells with a lot of inflammation grow more and are more aggressive." Tang added that cancer cells tend to produce in excess the very same substance that aspirin and other NSAIDs knock back.
The researchers failed to find a reduction in risk with other NSAIDs, however.
The new study, coupled with earlier evidence, makes a good case for aspirin’s anti-cancer properties, experts said.
Still, the effect may not be strong enough to counter aspirin’s possible side effects for people who have been told they shouldn't take the medication, said Dr. Robert Stern, a professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and chief of dermatology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. Stern co-authored a study published in 2011 that also found that aspirin reduced melanoma risk by 50 percent.
But for those who are sitting on the fence as to whether they should take aspirin for prevention of heart disease, this new research might be enough to push them over the edge since the benefits would now potentially be two-fold.
“I think it is too early to tell women to change their behavior, unless they would be taking it for the cardiovascular benefit also,” said Dr. Jenny Kim, an associate professor of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Before we can recommend that patients start taking aspirin to prevent melanoma we need to have some randomized controlled trials.”
Related:
Daily aspirin may protect against melanoma
Colonoscopy isn't just for high-risk people
Leave a Comment:
I would like to know the dosage of aspirin. I find many of these articles touting the benefits never state how much is taken.
The minimum you want to be taking is at least a low-dose aspirin. It must not be enteric-coated. I use chewable.
A baby aspirin, 81 mg. I am a nurse. Don't do it if you are on coumadin. Ask your doctor if it is OK.
Why must it not be enteric-coated? If there's evidence to support that statement, that worsens the net value of prophylactic treatment. Tens of thousands of Americans actually die from taking aspirin each year, many from gut bleeds. Stomach ulcers now to reduce the risk of easily detectable skin cancers later seems like a lousy deal.
jane-2056095, enteric-coated is mostly ineffective. This has been proven time and again in studies. It just doesn't get absorbed much. Moreover, it only transfers the site of ulcers to the small intestine instead. Best is to absorb sublingually.
That's interesting (and a little upsetting), since the vast majority of the 81 mg Aspirin Regimen aspirin out there brags about being enteric coated. If there's evidence that the benefits are less than claimed and the risks greater, I'll certainly encourage my husband to question the value of his prophylactic aspirin.
ab,
this is false. There was one study last year which claimed to show this, but it was a retrospective, ad hoc finding. hardly conclusive
I wish researchers could be a little more inclusive of all races...Women of color do get melanoma too; at an alarming rate...so do Asian women, Hispanics etc...
If we keep clinging to making drugs based on certain races, we would still be looking for simple drugs that work on marginalized races... 20 years down the road...
I understand it's about money making and which population will generate more capital, but where is the humanity in this gluttony?.
Good example, Hypertension drugs...One of the more puzzling medical phenomena is the question of why African Americans have a significantly higher incidence of disease and death related to high blood pressure than everyone else in the world...
There's a reason for that
genes
Eric
I agree with your assumption which is 100% correct but...
Genes should not be an excuse to give up...they should fight as hard as they have for diseases that are in predominantly caucasian populations like cystic fibrosis, Tay Sachs, Gaucher's etc...
Btw, I am caucasian...just trying to put my two cents across
its more than an assumption:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9711445
no one is giving up
bidil was the first drug ever FDA approved for a racial group--its an antihypertensive to be used in blacks with CHF
eric-2573068, there have been numerous studies showing it, not just one. Given that you haven't surveyed the literature, it's pointless debating it with you.
African Americans eat more sodium. It's no secret. If it were genes, native Africans would have had high BP too, but do they?
ab,
I have surveyed the literature. Youre just wrong--these studies don't exist
Or you could just post your alleged studies. That would end the debate right there. But you cant. So you just post what you did and then run away
See ya
Health Disparities - Examples
African American women and men 45-74 years of age in 2006 had the largest death rates from heart disease and stroke compared with the same age women and men of other racial and ethnic populations.
From 2005-2008, people with the largest prevalence of hypertension were 65 years and older, African American adults, U.S.-born adults, adults with less than a college education, and those with public health insurance (64 years and younger), diabetes, obesity, or a disability compared with their counterparts.
Among many sex-age groups, the prevalence of obesity from 2005-2008 was lower among White Americans than among African Americans or Mexican Americans. Among females aged 20-39 years, the prevalence of obesity was largest among African Americans.
Infants of African American women in 2006 had death rates twice as large as infants of White American women.
Adolescent and adult African Americans ages 15-59 years in 2007 had the largest death rates from homicide, as compared with other racial and ethnic populations of the same ages.
HIV infection rate among African Americans in 2008 was the largest rate compared with those of other racial and ethnic populations.
Factors contributing to poor health outcomes among African Americans include discrimination, cultural barriers, and lack of access to health care.
Resource
http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/REMP/black.html
I would like to know who paid for the study.
eric-2573068, please see http://pastebin.com/vDY4mZeD for the summaries.
ab,
so none of your studies showed zero effectiveness for coated aspirin--only that the effect was delayed. this makes sense as they are coated. For example, the first study checked in vitro measurements of platelet inhibition only 1 hour after aspirin administration. NOt long enough for the coated aspirin to be absorbed. Enteric aspirin should not be used in the acute setting for this reason. However, NONE of your trials looked at chronic aspirin therapy, which is what this discussion is about. There have been NO trials of CHRONIC coated aspirin therapy showeing reduction in clinical outcomes
And certainly, even if we accept overall reduced bioavailability from enteric coating (which, in light of the above, I do NOT concede) then it is still far from worthless as you claim
But honestly thank you for taking the time to post those studies. Most people wouldn't have.
eric-2573068, I just use chewable aspirin that I roll under my tongue. I may instead get pure powdered aspirin that I absorb in between my lower cheeks and jaw, and also under my tongue. That way it won't have to absorb in my stomach or small intestine. I won't have the acid of aspirin touch my teeth either.
The reporters of these stories ALWAYS neglect to tell the dosage taken. This renders the articles absolutely worthless.
Seems like a catch 22, as Aspirin also increases risk of hemorrhagic stroke...
If it is indeed the anti-inflammatory properties in Aspirin that protects against skin cancer, why not instead choose natural forms of anti-inflammation substances such as omega-3s and anti-oxidants... fewer side effects!
Long term use of NSAIDs like Asprin reduce your glutithione levels. Glutithione protects your immune system, nullifying this argument.
It's spelled glutathione, and it can be raised with vitamin D, NAC and whey among other things. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutathione#Supplementation for more info. Even if the aspirin connection is true, it must also depend on the aspirin dose.
I found one journal article about this, although there may be more:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0036325
[Implications of Altered Glutathione Metabolism in Aspirin-Induced Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in HepG2 Cells]
[ignore/duplicate]
Is it really wise to post articles like these? Folks are gonna read the headlines and decide it's time to start self-medicating with aspirin. Starting an aspirin regime carries risks of it's own...
I agree. The reporters should take the time to interview doctors who will explain the proper dosage, risks (esp. for those women who already bleed too heavily), and benefits. People need more information -- which means reporters have a weighty responsibility to study and investigate their subjects in more detail.
They are suppose to take the article to their doctors, who would have more insider details, rather than self-medicate. At least, I intend to.
Responsibility and investigation went out when the internet came in.
I wonder if other anti-inflammatory agents would work? Ginger, garlic, and turmeric are anti-inflammatory. And won't make my gut bleed.
Yes, they would, but less so for the "blood thinning" effect. Also fish oil. I figure all five have somewhat different mechanisms.
Funny, a week ago MSN reported that a recent study shows that regular aspirin use increased risk of blindness to folks over 50. It's good, it's bad, it's good again! LOL!
It isn't that its good, its bad and then its good again. A great deal depends upon your risk factors for specific diseases. This is why you should discuss these things with your doctor, a person who should know your family background and health risks. Aspirin can increase your risk of a certain type of blindness if you are predisposed to develop that condition. On the other hand, it can also reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and melanoma. Every drug in existence has side effects. Most foods can have negative effects if eaten in excess or eaten by someone with sensitivities or allergies to that food. There is no such thing as a risk free environment.
An excellent case in point are the anti-cholesterol drugs. They are known to put you at risk for liver damage. If, however, you have a familial predisposition to high cholesterol and early stroke and heart attack, it may be worth the risk.
Obviously its got nothing to do with inflammation, since the other nsaids do not have the same effect in preventing cancer.
What about men?
it was a matter of time ... but another study says that .... oh never mind .....
Yeah - but then again it may not and you could be left with a giant hole in your stomach.
Where could I find the statistical data for this study to use and cite for a school project?
Search for Jean Tang. Look at the source listed for WebMD. That article cites the study, which was published in the journal Cancer, online.
Or, we can eat more salicylic acid-containing plants (whose "side effects" are all good)...
Inflammation, Diet, and "Vitamin S"
nutritionfacts.org/2011/10/04/inflammation-diet-and-vitamin-s/
Oh, you mean like white willow bark? Bleah! You have to drink a good amount of white willow bark tea to get as much salicylic acid as in an aspirin.
Don't be drinking tons of willow tea. In excess, like aspirin, it'll harm your stomach possibly giving you ulcers. I dissolve and swallow my aspirin fast in my mouth, not in my stomach where it can harm me.
The government is no longer giving money to do medical research for MEN. 90% of research monies are going for research of women leaving men with 10% research funds. Men keep quiet. Women complain and are getting more than the lion's share of funding. Wake up men. Don't vote for politicians who keep passing women's issues. Barbara Boxer of CA is a prime example. Write her a letter and you will find she has a concern named: WOMEN ISSUE'S, but hasn't one for MENS issues. Sexist congressperson.
Everything in the entire culture is slanted toward men, including pay scales. One study of women and you're whining? Give me a break.
Tofu and over excercising causes cancer.
Probably works in men too.
Most people with a problem digesting aspirin, probably won't have that problem taking aspirin as Alka-Seltzer -- the bicarbonate aiding in the absorption of aspirin fully dissolved. The problem of aspirin, seems to be that it is usually highly compressed in tablets, which is a concentration that staying intact in that manner, will predictably cause bleeding in the stomach lining, since its effect is the thinning of the blood.
I used to not be able to take aspirin -- until I started taking Alka-Seltzer -- mainly to test whether the bicarbonate alone was sufficient to prevent acid reflux, since the acid reflux medication I took, contained bicarbonate to aid in its digestion and absorption. And then I noticed that by maintaining that alkalinity in the digestive tract, I no longer had the irritable bowel syndrome -- caused by aspirin in the traditional tablet form.
That is also the justification for putting the NSAIDs in liquidgelcaps -- or in the even more expensive liquid forms -- which they don't seem to do for aspirin, except in the king of home remedies -- Alka-Seltzer, which Ponce de Leon described as the Fountain of Youth -- when drinking the water from one of the early spas, which is the basis of the curative powers that go back far in the history of cures.
If most people could tolerate aspirin easily, there wouldn't be a need to create many of the more expensive drugs -- mainly because people cannot get the benefits of aspirin, because of the indigestability problem.
Many benefits from aspirin have been discovered over the decades. Recently it was found that the incidence of bowel polyps are reduced. Some feel if dementia has an inflammatory component then aspirin may reduce its onset. The cardiac benefits are amazing.
Plant food reduce your risk of cancer, Aspirin is originally a plant food. Nothing shocking here.
How about mentioning the harmful side effects of taking aspirin daily? Aspirin is not harmless!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin#Adverse_effects