Study: Aspirin May Lower Risk of Most Common Breast Cancer

A new study suggests that women who regularly take aspirin may lower their risk of developing the most common type of breast cancer.

University of Colorado researchers reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association that their study found women who used aspirin or similar painkillers at least once per week for six months reduced their risk of breast cancer by 20 percent.

However, the researchers said it is too soon to advise women to start taking aspirin as a protection againtsttbreast cancer.

In their study, the researchers looked at almost 1,500 women with breast cancer and a similar number of healthy women acting as controls, and examined what effect the frequency and duration of use of aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had on the women's risk of breast cancer.

Women who had taken aspirin at least once per week for six months or longer were 20 percent less likely to develop certain breast tumors. the researchers reported. And those who used seven or more tablets a week reduced their risk by 28 percent.

The reduced risk was only seen among those with a type of breast cancer that is thought to be linked to estrogen -- the most common type of breast tumor.

"These data add to the growing evidence that supports the regular use of aspirin and other NSAIDs as effective chemopreventive agents for breast cancer," the researchers reported.

However, they noted that potential benefits need to be balanced against potential harmful effects of long-term aspirin use such as peptic ulcer disease and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association