Health Benefits of Aspirin

By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International

A new study conducted through the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University showed that a daily dose of aspirin can help prevent colon cancer in people with a genetic disorder that increases their likelihood of developing the disease. The chief scientist of the study, John Burn, says that he and his colleagues found that after studying 1,071 people with Lynch syndrome, a condition that predisposes individuals to cancers (particularly the colon), aspirin “may have an effect on the survival of aberrant (faulty) stem cells in the colon.” The group was divided and given either a placebo pill or an aspirin every day. To date, there have been only six colon cancers in the aspirin group as opposed to 16 in the placebo group. There was also a reduction in endometrial cancer [1].

Aspirin is inexpensive, can serve as a pain killer, anti-inflammatory, and also has more serious benefit. Daily aspirin therapy has been shown to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, and is now recommended by the American Heart Association as a standard component of maintaining a healthy heart. While these are clearly positive results of aspirin usage, it is not for everyone. Here are some guidelines to see if you should or shouldn’t begin daily aspirin regimen.

Who Should Take Aspirin:

* People with a history of a heart attack
* Women above 65
* Those who have had an occlusive stroke
* Anyone with moderate to high risk of heart disease

Who Shouldn’t Take Aspirin:

* Those with allergies to another aspirin-like medicine
* People with ulcers, gout, asthma, or kidney disease

Also, be aware the aspirin has several side effects. Some of these can include ringing in the ears, hearing loss, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal bleeding, or hemorrhagic stroke.
So be sure to consult with your doctor before starting this daily routine. It is also important to tell your medical professional about any other medicines – prescriptions or just over the counter drugs – you are taking, to make sure that the drugs do not counteract or increase your chance of bleeding.