Aspirin Use After CRC Diagnosis Among Patients with COX-2–Expressing Tumors

Regular aspirin use for at least 5 to 10 years is associated with lower colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence, fewer polyps detected by colonoscopy, and fewer recurrent adenomas. In a recent study, researchers found that, among patients with cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)–expressing colorectal tumors, aspirin use after diagnosis also lengthened survival (J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:Suppl 16: A-3530).

In analyses of data collected through two long-term studies of U.S. healthcare professionals (initiated in 1980 and 1986), researchers evaluated 1279 participants who had pathologically confirmed stage I, II, or III CRC (COX-2 negative or positive) and who provided data on aspirin use before and after their diagnoses. Among the CRC patients, 42% did not use asp…