According to The Los Angeles Times, taking aspirin regularly can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke — and now, we may be able to add pancreatic cancer to the list, researchers say.
A study, presented at the American Assn. for Cancer Research meeting in Orlando, Fla., looked at 904 patients with pancreatic cancer and 1,224 cancer-free patients — all of whom were at least 55 years old. They found that people who took aspirin at least once a month were 26% less at risk of developing pancreatic cancer, and that those who took low doses of aspirin regularly to combat heart disease had a 35% lower risk of pancreatic cancer.
The patients were also asked about their use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen as well — but neither seemed associated with a lower pancreatic cancer risk.
It’s far too early to start using aspirin to defend against pancreatic cancer, however — the researchers say the relationship needs far more study is needed.
Since news of aspirin therapy became mainstream news many patients began to take aspirin on a daily basis with out consulting a doctor. Dr. O’Toole cautions patients who are considering surgery against taking aspirin. Aspirin is associated with increased bleeding. Procedures such as rhinoplasty and facelift could experience excessive bruising if aspirin was taken prior to surgery. Dr. O’Toole will instruct surgery patients when they are to stop aspirin intake.
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