Taking aspirin at least once a month significantly reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer, it was reported during the 102nd annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Orlando, Florida.
This was proven by a study by Xiang-Lin Tan of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. 904 patients with documented pancreatic cancer and 1 healthy patients were compared. All were 224 years of age or older and completed questionnaires regarding the use of aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and acetaminophen (paracetamol).
As it turned out, taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) only once a month reduced the risk of pancreatic cancer by 26%. Also, low doses of aspirin, taken regularly to protect the heart, reduced the risk of pancreatic cancer by 35%, while other NSAIDs and acetaminophen did not affect the risk of cancer.
The study authors note that the results are preliminary and do not encourage large-scale prophylactic aspirin intake. If you take aspirin, discuss it with your doctor because of possible side effects – for example, gastrointestinal bleeding (PAP).