Latest news with #JohnBurn
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Aspirin could be prescribed to prevent bowel cancer for those in high-risk group
Trial shows much smaller dose than previously recommended would work BIG C HOPE Aspirin could be prescribed to prevent bowel cancer for those in high-risk group Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ASPIRIN could be prescribed to try to prevent bowel cancer for those in a high-risk group. A Cancer Research UK study found a small daily dose offers protection for people with Lynch syndrome. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up More than half of people with the genetic condition develop bowel cancer at some point in their life. Experts will apply for a prescription license to give 'baby' 75mg pills to the nearly 200,000 Brits with Lynch syndrome. CRUK said fewer than half of GPs knew they should prescribe aspirin to Lynch syndrome patients and many were worried about the dose size. The trial found a much smaller dose than the previously recommended 600mg would work, reducing the risk of side effects. Professor Sir John Burn, from Newcastle University, said: 'This tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection for people with Lynch syndrome. 'Only a quarter of people with Lynch syndrome are currently taking aspirin and too many are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.' Lynch syndrome is estimated to cause about one in every 33 bowel cancer cases in the UK. Bowel tumours are one of the most common types, with 44,000 cases per year and 17,000 deaths. The 4 signs of bowel cancer that mean it's 'too late' - as doctor reveals cause of surge in young people being diagnosed 1 Aspirin could be prescribed to prevent bowel cancer for those in a high-risk group Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Aspirin could be prescribed to prevent bowel cancer for those in high-risk group
ASPIRIN could be prescribed to try to prevent bowel cancer for those in a high-risk group. A Cancer Research UK study found a small daily dose offers protection for people with Lynch syndrome. More than half of people with the genetic condition develop bowel cancer at some point in their life. Experts will apply for a prescription license to give 'baby' 75mg pills to the nearly 200,000 Brits with Lynch syndrome. CRUK said fewer than half of GPs knew they should prescribe aspirin to Lynch syndrome patients and many were worried about the dose size. The trial found a much smaller dose than the previously recommended 600mg would work, reducing the risk of side effects. READ MORE ON CANCER Professor Sir John Burn, from Newcastle University, said: 'This tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection for people with Lynch syndrome. 'Only a quarter of people with Lynch syndrome are currently taking aspirin and too many are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.' Lynch syndrome is estimated to cause about one in every 33 bowel cancer cases in the UK. Bowel tumours are one of the most common types, with 44,000 cases per year and 17,000 deaths. Most read in Health The 4 signs of bowel cancer that mean it's 'too late' - as doctor reveals cause of surge in young people being diagnosed 1 Aspirin could be prescribed to prevent bowel cancer for those in a high-risk group Credit: Getty What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
One supermarket pill a day can prevent bowel cancer in people at high risk
Study shows lower dose aspirin works as expert warns 'too many people are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer' An aspirin a day can prevent bowel cancer in people at high risk of the disease, research has confirmed. A new trial of 1,900 participants suggests GPs can recommend a low dose aspirin for people with the genetic condition Lynch syndrome. Higher doses of aspirin have previously been shown to prevent bowel cancer in this group but experts say GPs are still not advising it for these patients, partly due to concerns about the dosage. Lead author Professor Sir John Burn, of Newcastle University, said: "Only a quarter of people with Lynch syndrome are currently taking aspirin. Too many people are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.' 'For 30 years, scientists have observed fewer cancers in people who take aspirin. This trial now tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection for people with Lynch syndrome." Lynch syndrome is a rare genetic condition that runs in families and one in 400 people in England have it - equivalent to around 175,000 people. Having Lynch syndrome substantially increases the risk of bowel cancer and increases the risk of other types of cancer, including womb, ovarian and prostate cancer. The CaPP3 trial involved 1,879 people with Lynch syndrome in the UK, three other European countries and Australia who were treated with aspirin over five years. Participants on the trial were given three different doses of aspirin – 75-100mg, 300mg or 600mg a day – and received regular checks to see how they were doing throughout. Case Study Nick James, 46, a furniture maker from Gosforth in Newcastle, was the first to sign up to the CaPP3 trial in 2014. Nick decided to undergo genetic testing after his mum died from cancer, and other family members were diagnosed with bowel cancer. Tests showed he is a carrier for a faulty gene which causes Lynch syndrome. Nick now has a colonoscopy every two years, continues to take aspirin, and remains cancer free. He said: 'Finding out I had a faulty gene that causes Lynch syndrome was extremely daunting, but taking part in this trial has given me hope that there is something that can reduce the chances of me and others developing cancer. 'It was fascinating to hear about how something as small as aspirin could potentially make such a big difference to my future. Taking three aspirin tablets a day wasn't hard, but it has helped this study and it could potentially help lots of people in the future.' The trial found that those on the lowest aspirin dose did just as well as those on the higher doses, with fewer bowel cancers across all three doses. Aspirin given at lower doses is likely to cause fewer side-effects, including bleeding and stomach ulcers, than at higher doses. Scientists leading the research are now in talks with the British National Formulary, used by all pharmacists and doctors, to update the advice it gives on aspirin. Professor Burn added: '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.' The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) currently recommends that people with Lynch syndrome consider taking aspirin daily to prevent bowel cancer. But a survey carried out in 2016 revealed 47% of GPs were aware that they should recommend aspirin to people with Lynch syndrome and many were worried about the higher dose.
