New trial shows painkiller already in your cupboard could cut bowel cancer risk

A new trial revealed that lower doses of aspirin taken daily could cut the risk of bowel cancer in half for people with Lynch syndrome, and without the severe side effects of the higher doses currently recommended to them. People with this genetic disorder face a higher risk of several cancers and are prone to an earlier onset due to DNA repairing gene mutations.

The findings were revealed at the Cancer Research UK Prevention Conference, supported by the organisation's funds and Stand Up To Cancer contributions. The study highlighted that a daily intake of low dose aspirin, sometimes referred to as baby aspirin, ranging from 75-100mg could lower the risk of bowel cancer just as well as 600mg doses.

Professor Sir John Burn, Professor of Clinical Genetics at Newcastle University and head researcher of the CaPP3 trial asserted, "For 30 years, scientists have observed fewer cancers in people who take aspirin. The CaPP3 trial now tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection for people with Lynch syndrome.

"However, only a quarter of people with Lynch syndrome are currently taking aspirin. Too many people are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer."

The study, which hasn't been peer-reviewed yet, took 1,879 individuals with Lynch syndrome from the UK, three other European nations, and Australia has yielded promising results. Over a five-year period, participants were given daily aspirin doses of 75-100mg, 300mg, or 600mg.

The findings revealed that those taking the lowest aspirin dose fared just as well as those on higher doses, with a reduction in bowel cancers observed across all three dose groups.

Furthermore, lower doses of aspirin are likely to result in fewer side effects, such as bleeding and stomach ulcers, compared to higher doses.

Dr David Crosby, Head of Prevention and Early Detection Research at Cancer Research UK, commented: "It is exciting that aspirin can offer protection from bowel cancer at low doses. People with Lynch syndrome get regular colonoscopies and live with the anxiety that they are highly likely to develop bowel cancer in their lifetime. Taking aspirin daily could cut this risk by at least half and alleviate their fears.

"We now have really good evidence that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer in those at a high risk of the disease. We hope that the regulators will support the case for formal licensing of aspirin as a cancer prevention drug for people with Lynch syndrome."

Based on recent findings, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence advises individuals with Lynch syndrome to consider daily aspirin intake to prevent bowel cancer. Scientists leading the trial are reportedly planning to formally apply to regulators to facilitate GPs prescribing aspirin as a preventative measure against bowel cancer.

Higher doses of aspirin have previously been shown to prevent bowel cancer in those with Lynch syndrome. This genetic condition is believed to be responsible for 3% of bowel cancer cases in the UK each year, predominantly affecting patients under 50 years old.

Approximately one in 400 people in England have Lynch syndrome, which also increases their risk of ovarian, womb and prostate cancers, according to Cancer Research UK.

Over their lifetime, 70% of men and 50% of women with Lynch syndrome are diagnosed with bowel cancer. In contrast, these figures stand at only 6% and 5% respectively in the general population.