Aspirin may increase breast cancer survival

Aspirin is well known for its benefits in reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. New research suggests that regular aspirin use could increase breast cancer survival. Aspirin is known to have anti-inflammatory effects which inhibit production of substances such as prostaglandins which are also produced in greater amounts by tumours.

The study, by Holmes published in the March 2010 edition of the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology, investigated aspirin intake and survival after breast cancer. Responses from 4164 females in the Nurses’ Health Study who were diagnosed with stage 1 to III breast cancer between 1976 and 2002 and followed up until June 2006. Results showed that aspirin used was associated with a decreased risk of death due to breast cancer. The risk of distant metastasis decreased by 43% to 60%, and breast cancer related death was reduced by 64-71% in women who regularly took aspirin two to five days a week when compared with those who did not take regular aspirin.

The authors note that this was an observational study and relied on self report therefore further research is required before it can be confirmed whether

Professor John Boyages, from Westmead Breast Cancer Institute commented that, “these results suggest aspiring may be beneficial for women who have had breast cancer. Aspirin has other risks such as stomach bleeding which need to be taken into account before embarking on regular aspirin use. In addition, aspirin should not be taken by women currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer as it may interact with medications, it’s always best to check with your doctor before taking any complementary medicines.” 

Professor Boyages cautioned, “it’s an added bonus if you are already on low-dose aspirin for heart disease prevention but we should not rush in and give all women with breast cancer aspirin until other confirmation studies are published. Women with recurrent breast cancer who are having chemotherapy, are often advised to stop aspirin and hence the aspirin group in this study may have been “biased” by including healthier patients”.

Ref: J Clin Oncol 28:1467-1472. March 2010