Study: Aspirin Use Increases Chances Of Survival For Cancer By 20 Percent

Cancer patients have gone through a lot of pain and struggle, especially when it comes to medication. A new study suggests that aspirin could aid in the survival of cancer patients.

Aspirin Increases Survival Chances Of Cancer Patients

For cancer patients going through treatment, aspirin might help you get through it. According to a new study, taking low doses of aspirin increases the survival of cancer patients who are going through treatment by 20 percent per the Economic Times.

"Our review, based on the available evidence, suggests that low-dose aspirin taken by patients with bowel, breast or prostate cancer, in addition to other treatments, is associated with a reduction in deaths of about 15-20 per cent, together with a reduction in the spread of the cancer," said Peter Elwood, lead researcher and professor at Cardiff University in Britain.

Elwood explained that there's already a growing body of evidence supporting the claims that taking aspirin significantly reduces some cancer. The new study highlighted the need for randomized trials to establish the evidence and support the findings that aspirin could be an effective additional treatment for cancer.

Study Details

According to the Financial Express, the researchers examined the available data, including five randomized trials and 42 observational studies of colorectal, breast and prostate cancer. They observed that there is a significant reduction in mortality and cancer spread among patients who took a low-dose of aspirin along with their cancer treatment.

"A mutation - known as PIK3CA - was present in about 20 per cent of patients, and appeared to explain much of the reduction in colon cancer mortality by aspirin," Elwood explained. However, they need more studies to support that low-dose aspirin is an effective additional treatment for cancer patients.

Five Healthy Behaviors To Prevent Cancer

The researchers also identified five healthy behaviors to live a healthy life. They suggest that one should cut smoking for good, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy body weight, eat a healthy diet and keep alcohol intake to a minimum.

The study is published in the Journal Plos One.