Benefit of Aspirin to Reduce Colon Cancer Risk Is Age and Duration Dependent

Regular use of aspirin is associated with reduced colon cancer risk in people aged 70 and older — but only if used for 5 or more years before age 70.

Large cohort studies have indicated that long-term aspirin use reduces risk for colorectal cancer. Data also suggest that after curative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, aspirin may reduce risk for recurrent colon cancer.

To assess the association between aspirin use and colon cancer risk in older adults, investigators conducted a pooled analysis of two large U.S. cohort studies (the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study). Among 94,540 participants aged 70 or older, there were 1413 cases of colorectal cancer. After adjustment for risk factors, regular aspirin use was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer compared with nonregular use (hazard ratio, 0.80); the benefit was similar in men and women. The …

Reviewing Author

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo

Benefit of Aspirin to Reduce Colon Cancer Risk Is Age and Duration Dependent

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Reviewing Author