Aspirin and cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analyses of 118 observational studies of aspirin and 18 cancers
For some time now the protective nature of low dose aspirin in the prevention of solid cancers such as Colon cancer has been well established. It is now apparent that treatment with aspirin, together with standard therapy for established cancers has survival benefits.
Major clinical trials are currently underway recruiting patients with Colon, Breast and Prostate cancer. Previous studies with various solid cancers have shown survival benefits of up to 20%. This meta-analysis looked at all available information with data collected from patients with cancer, some with ovarian cancer. The results suggest that aspirin is protective for all cancers.
A concern with aspirin is the risk of catastrophic bleed due to platelet suppression. Gastrointestinal bleeds (GIB) are common with low dose aspirin, with approximately a 50% increase in the incidence. However, the GIB death rate seems low, with some studies suggesting the rate is less for those patients taking low dose aspirin compared to those who do not.
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