Aspirin is NOT a cancer wonder drug – and actually makes survival rates WORSE

Aspirin may not improve breast cancer prognosis, says study

PAINKILLER Aspirin does NOT improve outcomes for breast cancer patients, a new study has found, tearing up previous hopes for the over the counter medicine.

Aspirin does not appear to be protective, provide improved outcomes or survival among breast cancer patients with the aggressive disease, authors of a new report at Penn Medicine said.

In fact, low dose aspirin was associated with a WORSE overall survival rate, compared to patients who didn’t take it before their cancer diagnosis, the five year study found.

Researchers examined aspirin use, cancer pathology and survival rates of 1,000 patients with breast cancer.

 



Researchers studied 1,000 breast cancer patients



Participants had to be taking aspiring at least a month before their diagnosis, which was found to be the case in 14 per cent of the women.

The scientists discovered taking aspirin was not associated with improved survival, despite previous studies advocating its anti-cancerous effects.

However, the team did find one benefit of aspirin when it comes to breast cancer diagnosis.

 



Taking aspirin was not associated with improved breast cancer survival, say Penn Medicine scientists



 

During a second study, researchers discovered aspirin may lower the density of breast tissue, allowing for earlier detection of cancers during routine mammograms.

Lead associate professor Julia C. Tchou said: “Past studies have found that aspirin may hold anti-cancer benefits. However, many of them were preliminary, preclinical, and didn’t support a clear mortality benefit. They also didn’t look at prior use of aspirin.

“Our data did not support the notion that this century-old pill has protective qualities and down-the-road benefits for breast cancer patients. However, larger patient cohort studies are needed to confirm our results.”

 

During a study researchers found aspiring DOES reduce breast tissue density

Past studies have indicated taking aspirin halts the spread of tumours, by ensuring the conditions around the cancer cells are hostile to growth.

Although an exciting discovery, the experts say that the findings need to be explored in greater depth.