Cancer fighting properties of aspirin to be put to the test in daring new experiment

Aspirin will be tested for its ability to stop cancer returning to patients

THE power of aspirin to stop cancer returning will be put to the test in world-first trials starting in Britain today.

 

In the largest experiment of its kind aspirin will be tested on 11,000 patients who have had bowel, breast, oesophageal, prostate or stomach cancer.

The tests – over 12 years at 100 UK hospitals – could lead to “game-changing” treatments.

 



The test will go on for 12 years with 11,000 patients involved in the trials



Finding a cheap, effective way to prevent cancers recurring is potentially game-changing

Dr Fiona Reddington, Cancer Research UK

 

Scientists believe a daily aspirin taken alongside immunotherapy drugs could stop cancer cells from “hiding” – allowing the immune system to destroy tumours.

Professor Ruth Langley, of University College, London, said: “Research suggests aspirin could delay or stop early stage cancers coming back.
 

Breast cancer cell under a microscope

This aims to answer this question once and for all.” The study is funded by Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Dr Fiona Reddington, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Finding a cheap, effective way to prevent cancers recurring is potentially game-changing.”