Daily Low-Dose Aspirin may Decrease the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer

Previous studies have debated the pros and cons of a daily low-dose aspirin regimen. In many cases, the benefits seem to outweigh any related side effects for certain users. Now, a recent study conducted by researchers from the Yale School of Public Health also shows an added advantage; a reduced risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

"The thought that there's something that could lower the risk of someone getting pancreatic cancer is remarkable and exciting to me as a physician who has patients who have gotten -- and died from -- pancreatic cancer," said CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, via CBS News. "There's very little we can do for most people that get pancreatic cancer."

This potentially deadly cancer that affects an estimated 40,000 Americans per year is predicted to be the second-most cancer related death in the United States by 2030.

"We found that the use of low-dose aspirin was associated with cutting the risk of pancreatic cancer in half, with some evidence that the longer low-dose aspirin was used, the lower the risk," said Harvey A. Risch, MD, PhD, professor of epidemiology in the Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Conn., added, according to Medical Xpress. "Because about one in 60 adults will get pancreatic cancer and the five-year survival rate is less than 5 percent, it is crucial to find ways to prevent this disease."

For the study, researchers examined the medical records of 1,052 patients from 2005 to 2009. From this sample, 362 had pancreatic cancer and a remaining 690 did not. Researchers also compared patients' aspirin use and cancer risk. A low dose of aspirin was defined as 75 to 325 milligrams.

Findings revealed that those who followed a low-dose aspirin regimen over six years or less had a 39 percent smaller risk of developing pancreatic cancer. For those that followed this regimen longer, their risk was even smaller. Patients with a daily low-dose aspirin regimen for 10 years or more saw a 60 percent reduced risk of pancreatic cancer.

"Aspirin interrupts the inflammatory pathway in the body," LaPook concluded. "It turns out those same pathways look like they're part of the pathways that can lead to cancer. If you interrupt those pathways, theoretically that might be the reason why you lower the risk for cancer. We don't know that for sure, but that's one thought."

These findings could be particularly helpful for anyone with a family history of pancreatic cancer. However, as the medication also carries certain health risks, new patients should check with their primary care doctor before starting themselves on any new medications.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.