Research Plus

Aspirin: no impact on cancer mortality

A meta-analysis of nine randomised placebo-controlled trials on low-dose aspirin to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk finds no significant reduction in cancer mortality or cardiovascular deaths in people without prior CVD¹. Non-fatal myocardial infarction risk is reduced, but bleeding risk is significantly increased. Previous research found that aspirin prophylaxis reduced cancer deaths by 20% overall², leading to suggestions that anyone aged over 45 should take low-dose aspirin routinely.

1. Archives of Internal Medicine 2012; online first: doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.628.
2. Lancet. 2011; 377(9759): 31–41.

Tags cancer evidence based practice

Occupational Health at Work February/March 2012 (vol. 08/5) pp40