Aspirin Use May Cut Colorectal Cancer Risk

In a study of more than 100,000 people, researchers found that those with less healthy lifestyles were more likely to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer with regular aspirin use than those with healthier behaviors (JAMA Oncol 2024 Aug 1 [Epub ahead of print]). Regular aspirin use was defined as two or more 325 mg tablets a week or a daily 81 mg dose; less healthy lifestyles were characterized by higher body mass index, smoking, greater alcohol consumption, less physical activity, and poorer diet. Those with unhealthiest lifestyles had a 3.4% chance of developing colorectal cancer if they didn’t take aspirin regularly, whereas those who did had a 2.1% chance of developing the disease. In contrast, people with the healthiest lifestyles had a 1.5% chance of developing colorectal cancer if they took aspirin regularly and a 1.6% chance if they didn’t. This result suggests that physicians can pursue a nuanced approach when prescribing aspirin for disease prevention.