Pancreatic Cancer Tied To Long-Term Aspirin Use

BBC News ^ | 1/7/04

[truthandlife]

Regular long-term use of aspirin may be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in women, research has suggested. Harvard Medical School scientists found women who regularly used the drug for more than 20 years had a 58% increased risk compared to infrequent users.

Aspirin, and similar painkillers, have been shown to cut the risk of many types of cancer and heart disease.

However, the overall risk of cancer remains tiny, despite the increase.

This study indicates that aspirin may not necessarily be a panacea for all cancers.

Dr Richard Sullivan Previous research has suggested that aspirin use may inhibit the development of pancreatic cancer.

However, these studies have been carried out on human cells, and laboratory animals, and have not examined the actual effect of taking aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

The researchers' findings are based on an 18-year analysis of 88,378 women. Of these, 34% were current regular aspirin users, taking two or more 325mg aspirin tablets per week.

Different findings

The researchers found there was no statistically significant difference in risk of pancreatic cancer between women who were currently taking aspirin and those who were not.

But when they considered longer-term use of the drug, the results were very different.

Not only did regular use of the drug over a 20-year period appear to increase risk, reasonably long periods of relatively heavy use also appeared to pose a problem.

The researchers quizzed the women about their aspirin use once every two years.

Women who reported that they regularly took 14 or more aspirin tablets per week in at least two out of three consecutive surveys were 86% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who did not take the drug at all.

The study is published in the Journal of the US National Cancer Institute.

Lead researcher Dr Eva Schernhammer told BBC News Online: "Our study suggests that long-term use of aspirin could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

"However, the findings need to be confirmed by other large, well designed trials before doctors should consider changing recommendations for aspirin use."

Possible reason

Dr Schernhammer said it was possible that aspirin triggered inflammation of the pancreas.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr John Baron, of Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire, said: "There are no easy answers to the question of what aspirin and other NSAIDs do to pancreatic carcinogenesis.

"These findings are provocative and force us to think carefully about the actions of aspirin and other NSAIDs and the mechanisms underlying pancreatic cancer."

Dr Richard Sullivan, Head of Clinical Programmes at Cancer Research UK, said: "Compared to the risk of developing pancreatic cancer due to smoking, excessive alcohol and weight gain the risk presented by aspirin is negligible.

"To say there is an 86% increased risk of pancreatic cancer is highly misleading as the absolute risk remains tiny.

"Interestingly, according to leading Cancer Registries in the US, the incidence of pancreatic cancer in American women is decreasing.

"However, this observational study indicates that aspirin may not necessarily be a panacea for all cancers."

[ClintonBeGone]

Ahh, so confusing. Do I choose to die of a heart attack or cancer? :(

[Tax-chick]

This study indicates that aspirin may not necessarily be a panacea for all cancers.

No, really? I can still get cancer if I take aspirin? Darn!

[Dianna]

Ahh, so confusing. Do I choose to die of a heart attack or cancer? :(

The article is talking about taking 2 or more 325mg tablets per week. Isn't the amount for protection from heart attack much smaller?

Women who reported that they regularly took 14 or more aspirin tablets per week in at least two out of three consecutive surveys were 86% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who did not take the drug at all.

That sounds like a pretty large amount.

[Eva]

My aunt died of pancreatic cancer, one of the worst types of cancer that you can get. There is no hope of a cure, the best they can do for you is prolong your life, maybe six months.

[Mears]

My rule of thumb,"Ignore all Studies"

Moderation in everything is the answer,the "studies" will drive you nuts.

What's good for you today will be bad for you tomorrow and vice versa.

[Maringa]

You are right about how devastating pancreatic cancer is. Only 5% survival rate of 5 years or more. Sorry to hear about how your aunt suffered. My mom had it five years ago, but she is one of the miracles. She is still alive, surgery and treatment eliminated the cancer. The bad thing about pancreatic cancer is that by the time you get the symptoms, it's too late. When my mom started feeling the symptoms, and the doctor's explained the hopelessnes of the cancer, it was gut wrenching. Our family was able to convince them to proceed with a surgery, followed by chemo. It worked!!!

[mewzilla]

I think one 81 mg. a day aspirin is the dose for folks on the heart regimen.

[joyful1]

Pacreatic cancer is a death sentence. A horrible horrible way to die.

[Not A Snowbird]

Whoa! I'm toast. Aspirin is another food group for me.

[Holly_P]

That sounds like a pretty large amount.

Some people take that much per day of buffered aspirin, for arthritis.

[Eva]

I think that my aunt might have made it, had she had better medical advice. She was told that there was no hope and that she would be dead in two months if she declined treatment and would suffer far less. So, she declined treatment and lived six months and only died after she gave up and stopped eating. She was so mad at the advice because she knew she might have had a chance, but she was 82 and even though she was perfectly strong and healthy, other than a bad knee (for which she took aspirin for years) and the cancer the doctors didn't want to bother.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Are they talking about "aspirin", or acetominophin (sp?)

Tylenol, or Bayer?

I consume more than an average amount of Excedrine in the course of a week...I wonder if that's included?

[From The Deer Stand]

Research has shown that being alive, eating, drinking and breathing may cause cancer, heart disease and/or many other serious illnesses and diseases.

[Gabz]

Women who reported that they regularly took 14 or more aspirin tablets per week in at least two out of three consecutive surveys were 86% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who did not take the drug at all.

While an 86% increased risk sounds like a major problem - it is still not a statistically significant increase. Statistical significance is not reached until there is at least a 200% increase and many epidemilogists don't accept as significent until it hits 300%.

The 86% increase may indicate a correlation between aspirin and pancreatic cancer - but it does not show causation.

[blam]

"I think one 81 mg. a day aspirin is the dose for folks on the heart regimen."

Yup. That's what I've seen recommended...and, also recommended to me by my doctor.

[kassie]

Me too.

[itzmygun]

It's time to ban these. We should ban ALL drugs because they are ALL dangerous, and you can't take as many as you want without repercussions. I'm tired of people getting a "quick fix" with aspirin. They're just fooling themselves, and I just can't help but think of the children.


PS - How do I bump this to the WOD list? Thanks.

[Born Conservative]

Are you serious, or did you just forget to add the </sarcasm> tag?

[PoisedWoman]

Women who reported that they regularly took 14 or more aspirin tablets per week in at least two out of three consecutive surveys were 86% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who did not take the drug at all.

That's a lot of aspirin. You can get the heart-attack reducing effect of aspirin by taking 1/2 or 1/4 of a regular aspirin.