In a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded that aspirin use decreases the risk of colorectal cancer by 40 percent including recurrence of advanced polyps. The study suggested health care providers should prescribe aspirin to all patients with advanced colorectal polyps. "These data indicate underutilization of aspirin to prevent colorectal cancer as well as recurrent polyps in these high risk patients," says Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., Dr.P.H., senior author of the study.
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths with advanced colorectal polyps as a major risk factor. Additional risk factors include inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. "More than 90 percent of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer are 50 years or older. The major risk factors are similar to those for heart attacks and stroke and include overweight, obesity as well as physical inactivity, a diet low in fiber and high in fat as well as type 2 diabetes," said Lawrence Fiedler, M.D., gastroenterologist and affiliate associate professor.
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"By utilizing these multifactorial approaches, we believe that these efforts should achieve the most good for the most patients concerning the prevention as well as screening and early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancers," said Hennekens.
Source: Florida Atlantic University
