Aspirin may prevent cancer
US-based expert in clinical oncology, Jack Cuzick said that aspirin could help prevent three forms of gastro-intestinal cancer that are common worldwide, including India.
In Kolkata, to deliver the Tata oration in clinical oncology, Cuzick said that aspirin, one of the cheapest and most commonly available drugs, not only reduces the risk of gastro-intestinal cancers but also prevents spread of the disease.
It’s important for India to explore easy and cheap options like this to combat the growing menace of cancer, felt Cuzick. Around 11% of all cancer patients in Bengal state suffer from gastro-intestinal cancers. In Kolkata alone, this number is around 5,000.
‘It’s an exciting new option that needs to be exploited fully. Prevention is important because it is cheaper. A drug like aspirin makes it more affordable for a large section of the Indian population who would be better off preventing cancer than treating it,’ said Cuzick.
Tobacco, he pointed out, causes 20% of cancers. ‘But there are other factors like weight and diet that must be researched. Vegetables probably help reduce the cancer risk, but we are still not sure about fruits,’ said Cuzick.
Aspirin, in a low-dose, could help reduce the risk of colon, rectal and prostate cancers, if taken from the age of 50, claimed Cuzick.
‘It involves a bleeding risk so aspirin has to be taken under guidance. Those suffering from hypertension can’t take it without getting their blood pressure in check. But once these have been taken care of, the drug could indeed be an option,’ said Cuzick.
He added that aspirin could also help prevent some other forms of the disease like breast cancer.
‘Overall, it could reduce the risk of cancer by 20%,” he said.
For breast cancer, screening the high-risk group is the best preventive measure, said Cuzick. ‘Genetic disposition and family history should be the guiding factors. Breast cancer risk is enhanced by 5%-10% through genetic reasons. But cervical cancer is acquired. Vaccination can neutralize 90% of cervical cancer strains, provided it is taken before a woman turns sexually active. It is now up to the Indian government to take the initiative,’ said Cuzick.
