Huge boost in fight against colon cancer: Daily over-the-counter pill already in millions of medicine cabinets PREVENTS disease, study reveals
Taking a daily aspirin could help prevent bowel cancer in thousands of people at high risk, new research suggests.
A major British study has found that even a low dose of the over-the-counter drug can halve the chances of developing the disease—offering protection with fewer side effects than previously thought.
The findings are particularly important for people with Lynch syndrome—an inherited condition that affects about 175,000 people in the UK.
It dramatically increases the lifetime risk of bowel cancer and other types of cancer.
While the NHS already recommends aspirin for those with the condition, only around a quarter are currently taking it—often due to fears over side effects such as indigestion, ulcers and kidney problems.
Researchers, led by Professor Sir John Burn of Newcastle University and funded by Cancer Research UK, found that a daily dose as low as 75 to 100mg—commonly known as 'baby aspirin'—was just as effective as the 600mg dose used in previous studies.
'The trial now tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection,' said Professor Burn.
He added: 'Too many people are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.'
Lynch syndrome is thought to be responsible for around three per cent of bowel cancer cases in the UK.
People with the condition are also more likely to be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50.
As well as bowel cancer, Lynch syndrome also significantly increases the risk of other cancers—including womb, ovarian and prostate cancer.
One of those to benefit from the trial is Nick James, 46, who discovered he had the condition after undergoing genetic testing.
'Finding out I had a faulty gene that causes Lynch syndrome was extremely daunting,' he said.
'But taking part in this trial has given me hope that there's something that can reduce the chances of me and others developing cancer.
Following the results, experts are now calling on the NHS to update its guidelines so more people at risk can benefit from the protective effects of aspirin.
Professor Sir Burn said: 'We're now engaging with the regulators to change prescribing guidelines so that aspirin can be used more widely for people with a high risk of bowel cancer.
'We have a chance to give more people with Lynch syndrome protection which would reduce their fear of bowel cancer in the future.'
Bowel cancer is on the rise in younger adults, even as rates fall among older generations.
People born in 1990 are three times more likely to develop bowel cancer than those born in the 1950s, according to global research.
In the UK, the disease kills nearly 17,000 people a year.
While the vast majority of cases still occur in over-50s, around five per cent now affect adults aged 25 to 49—and that figure is steadily climbing.
The main symptoms include changes in toilet habits, such as softer stools, diarrhoea or constipation.
Going more or less often than usual, blood in the stool, or a feeling that you still need to go even after just going, can also be warning signs.
Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half—54 per cent—of bowel cancer cases are preventable.
Known risk factors include a diet low in fibre, eating too much red or processed meat, and obesity.
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