Can aspirin lower colorectal cancer risk? For some, study suggests

As colorectal cancer cases rise in younger people, regularly taking aspirin could help lower the risk in those with unhealthier lifestyles, new research suggests.

As colorectal cancer cases rise in younger people, regularly taking aspirin could help lower the risk in those with unhealthier lifestyles, new research suggests.

Two cancer-related studies were published in medical journals JAMA Oncology and Lancet Public Health this week. While one shows a disturbing trend for the younger population, the other raises hope for the prevention of one of the most common cancers.

The JAMA study published Thursday found that taking two or more standard tablets (325 milligrams) of aspirin per week was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer in individuals with less healthy lifestyles.

More than 100,000 people — both men and women — were included in this U.S. research, which looked at people’s alcohol intake, physical activity, diet and smoking habits.

Over a 10-year period, analyzed from October 2021 to May 2023, the absolute risk reduction of colorectal cancer “associated with aspirin use was greatest among those with the unhealthiest lifestyle scores and progressively decreased with healthier lifestyle scores,” the study said.

“The findings of the study suggest that lifestyle risk factors may be useful to identify individuals who may have a more favourable risk-benefit profile for cancer prevention with aspirin.”

This latest study adds to previous research signalling the benefits of aspirin use for colorectal cancer outcomes.

One particular study from 2021 suggested that long-term, regular use of aspirin (for more than two years and taking 15 or more pills a month) before a colorectal cancer diagnosis was linked with a lower mortality risk.