In Brief

Extract

Aspirin Associated With Reduced Risk of Colorectal Adenomas

Regular aspirin use is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal adenomas, according to a new study.

The effect of regular aspirin use on cancer risk has been a subject of much study (see related news story, p. 252). For colorectal cancer, questions linger about the potential dose–response relationship of aspirin and colorectal adenomas and about whether aspirin can reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas in a low-risk population.

By examining data from the Nurses’ Health Study, Andrew T. Chan, M.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues found that regular aspirin use (two or more tablets per week) was associated with a 25% reduction in risk of adenoma compared with nonuse. The risk reduction was greatest—51%—among women who took 14 or more aspirin tablets per week. Results were similar among women who reported taking aspirin for 5 years or less compared with those who reported regular aspirin use for more than 5 years.