According to Oxford University researchers, taking a quarter of an aspirin tablet per day for at least three years, can dramatically reduce the risk of developing cancer. The researchers also discovered that it can prevent cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

It was found that taking a low dose of aspirin, 75mg daily (the same as 1/4 of a 300g aspirin tablet) during a 3 to 5 year period, reduced the risk of cancer by 19%.  Taking aspirin for 5 years or more, reduces the risk by 30%. It was also discovered that after taking aspirin for 5 years there was a 37% less chance of dying from cancer. People who were taking the low aspirin dose during their 60′s felt the benefit more.

Professor Peter Rothwell, of Oxford’s Stroke Prevention Research Unit, said “these data do push the argument in favour of taking daily low-dose aspirin, particularly if you have an family history of heart disease or cancer. We showed previously that daily aspirin substantially reduces the long-term risk of some cancers, particularly colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer, but that these effects don’t appear until about 8 to 10 years after starting treatment.”

The Oxford studies also showed that, even though there is a risk of internal bleeding by taking aspirin – regular taking of aspirin in the first three years doubles the risk – however after that there was no increased risk.

The Life Dept adds: watching the debate on aspirin is like watching tennis!  The argument goes back and forth with some experts hailing it as a wonder drug and others urging caution.  On the plus side it (i) reduces the risk of heart attack by about a third (Britain’s top killer); (ii) as above it reduces the risk of cancer (Britain’s second biggest killer); and (iii) it reduces the risk of dementia.  On the face of it, pretty impressive credentials.  On the negative side aspirin can cause serious internal bleeding and can double your risk of blindness later in life.  Just type the word ‘aspirin’ into our search tool and you will be assaulted with stories about the drug.  If you have life insurance and you are a regular taker of aspirin maybe it is true that you are less likely to die.  Even so there is still a risk of critical or serious illness so you might want to ponder if your life insurance also provides critical illness cover!  As ever we can give you advice.

Written exclusively for THE LIFE & critical illness DEPT | 21 Mar 2012 | providers of life insurance, critical illness insurance and income protection cover.