Aspirin reduces risk of bowel cancer

There has been increasing interest in the role of aspirin in reducing the risk of colonic polyp formation and in lowering the incidence of colorectal cancer. The GCC article says that a number of recent studies have addressed this issue again. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Illustration for the aspirin and bowel cancer discussion.

The GCC page cites a large retrospective Hong Kong study suggesting that long-term aspirin use was associated with a 25% reduction in the incidence of colorectal cancer and a 41% reduction in colorectal cancer mortality. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

According to the page, the study included more than 600,000 people and compared those prescribed aspirin for more than six months with those not taking aspirin. The average duration of aspirin use was 7.1 years, and patients were followed for 14 years or until death. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

• Lower colorectal cancer incidence in the aspirin group
• Lower colorectal cancer mortality in the aspirin group
• Risk reduction appeared after around eight years of use
• Longer use was linked to lower incidence

The same page notes that gastrointestinal bleeding was more common in patients taking aspirin, and that aspirin use also slightly increased mortality related to gastrointestinal bleeding. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

It also states that patients given gastroprotection in the form of a proton pump inhibitor or H2 antagonist had a significantly lower incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding compared with those who did not receive gastroprotection. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

The GCC article also cites a UK study comparing cancer-free individuals who were new users of low-dose aspirin with non-users. It reports that the risk of developing colorectal cancer was reduced by 34% in patients starting low-dose aspirin, regardless of sex. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

The page says the reduction in risk appeared across all ages and was unrelated to dose. It also says that low-dose aspirin was associated with reduced risk of stages B, C and D colorectal cancer, suggesting aspirin may also have some effect on slowing progression of established disease. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

It further notes that five years or more of low-dose aspirin therapy was associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of early colorectal cancer. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Yes. The page cites a large meta-analysis of observational studies that included 218 studies and 309 reports. It says aspirin use was associated with reduced risk across a number of cancers, including gastric, oesophageal, colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, endometrial, breast and prostate cancers, as well as small intestine and neuroendocrine tumours. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

The page reports an overall significant reduction in cancer risk and specifically notes a reduction in colorectal cancer risk within that meta-analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

The overall message is that a growing body of research suggests aspirin may reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer and possibly other cancers, but that these benefits are offset by a higher risk of gastrointestinal side effects and bleeding. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

The page also says gastroprotection with a PPI or H2 antagonist may reduce GI side effects in some patients. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

The page lists three references:

• Tsoi KKF, Chan FCH, Hirai HW et al. Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Benefit from Colorectal Cancer Reduction from Long-term Use of Low Dose Aspirin. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018.
• García Rodríguez LA, Soriano-Gabarró M, Bromley S et al. New use of low-dose aspirin and risk of colorectal cancer by stage at diagnosis. BMC Cancer. 2017.
• Qiao Y, Yang T, Gan Y, et al. Associations between aspirin use and the risk of cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies. BMC Cancer. 2018.

These are the same references shown at the bottom of the GCC article. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}