Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 30
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561

    Aspirin "Aspirin can cut bowel cancer death rate by a third"

    It amazes me how this simple drug keeps proving to be so useful.

    Its cardiovascular benefits are well documented, but now this (although there is a caveat at the end):

    25 April 2012


    Aspirin can reduce the chances of dying from bowel cancer by almost a third, research has shown.

    Patients who took a daily dose of the pain killer for at least nine months after being diagnosed cut the likelihood of the disease killing them by 30%.
    Taking aspirin for any length of time after diagnosis reduced the odds of dying from cancer by 23% compared with not taking aspirin at all.
    The study looked at 4,500 bowel cancer patients in the Netherlands diagnosed between 1998 and 2007.
    A quarter were not aspirin users, another quarter only took aspirin after diagnosis, while the remaining group took it both before and after developing cancer.
    Lead researcher Dr Gerrit-Jan Liefers, from Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, said: "Our findings could have profound clinical implications. In this study, we showed the therapeutic effect of a widely-available, familiar drug that costs mere pennies per day.
    "It's possible that some older people may have other health problems which mean that they are not well enough to have chemotherapy. Bowel cancer is more common in older people so these results could be a big advance in treatment of the disease, particularly in this group. But we need further research to confirm this."
    His team is now planning a randomised controlled trial due to start later this year which will target the over-70s population.
    The results are published today in the British Journal of Cancer, owned by Cancer Research UK.
    Sarah Lyness, executive director policy and information at the charity, said: "This latest study adds to the growing evidence about the benefits of aspirin. The latest evidence suggests that the drug not only reduces the risk of dying from cancer, but can also help prevent the disease from developing in the first place.
    "But we are not yet at the point where we would recommend people start taking aspirin to reduce their chances of developing cancer. There are still questions we need to answer about the side effects, such as internal bleeding, who might benefit most from taking aspirin, who might be harmed, what dose and how long people some people might want to take it for.
    "Anyone thinking of taking aspirin to cut their risk of cancer should talk to their GP first. People with cancer should be aware that aspirin can increase the chances of complications before surgery or other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and should discuss this with their specialist.


  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    aging one's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    22,637
    good news Harry, I have been taking one a day for almost 5 years now. But for the heart and circulation as you pointed out.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561
    Yep, I take an Aspirine C in a glass of water every night (if I'm not too pissed to remember).


  4. #4
    Member

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Last Online
    11-10-2023 @ 07:48 AM
    Location
    Chanthaburi
    Posts
    132
    I've heard of it for a healthy heart, but this is a new one. Hope it works

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
    DrAndy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    25-03-2014 @ 05:29 PM
    Location
    yes
    Posts
    32,025
    taking an aspirin a day without proper medical advice can be a bad thing

  6. #6
    En route
    Cujo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    24-02-2024 @ 04:47 PM
    Location
    Reality.
    Posts
    32,939
    Quote Originally Posted by DrAndy View Post
    taking an aspirin a day without proper medical advice can be a bad thing
    Also I believe it destroys your liver if you have alcohol in your blood while taking it.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561
    Oops wrong thread.


    Yes, taking it without medical advice is risky. My doctor recommends it.

    21 March 2012 Last updated at 00:32 Daily aspirin: Risks and benefits

    By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News

    Daily aspirin is recommended for high risk heart patients

    Taking a small daily dose of aspirin has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer. But experts say it is still too early to start recommending it to patients. So what are the risks and benefits of taking this drug?
    What is aspirin?
    Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has been used for many years as a painkiller. It has an anti-inflammatory action, and is used to relieve headache, menstrual pain and muscle aches. More recently it has been given to patients with known cardiovascular disease risk factors to reduce their chance of stroke and heart attack.
    How does it work?
    It works by helping to prevent blood clots forming in the blood vessels, by stopping cells in the blood known as platelets from sticking together and clogging an artery.
    Why low-dose aspirin?
    UK experts recommend 75mg for heart disease prevention. This is a lot less than the dose for pain relief. This is because taking aspirin every day raises the risk of side effects like internal bleeds.
    What are the risks?
    Low-dose aspirin treatment is linked with a very small increase in the risk major bleeding in the stomach and brain. Studies suggest that 769 people would needed to be treated with low-dose aspirin for one extra person to be harmed with major bleeding.
    What do we know about taking aspirin to prevent cancer?
    A number of studies have suggested aspirin may protect against cancer. Latest work in The Lancet that looks at 51 studies involving over 77,000 participants suggests aspirin not only reduces a person's risk of developing cancer but could also help stop cancers spreading around the body. Cancer death rates were also significantly lower among people taking aspirin.
    Who should take it daily?
    Experts say there is still not enough evidence to recommend that fit and healthy people take aspirin as a precaution against cancer. Similarly, healthy people are not advised to take it to prevent heart disease because the risks of dangerous side effects, although small, outweigh the benefits.
    Low-dose daily aspirin is only recommended for those considered to be at risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
    But experts say it is worth exploring whether some cancer patients, such as those with bowel cancer, might benefit from daily aspirin.
    Anyone considering taking aspirin is advised to talk to their doctor first.
    The next post may be brought to you by my little bitch Spamdreth

  8. #8
    En route
    Cujo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    24-02-2024 @ 04:47 PM
    Location
    Reality.
    Posts
    32,939
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Oops wrong thread.


    Yes, taking it without medical advice is risky. My doctor recommends it.
    oops.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561
    Daily Aspirin - More Benefit Than Risk?


    Article Date: 25 Mar 2012 - 0:00 PDT

    Many people take a low dose of aspirin every day to lower their risk of a further heart attack or stroke, or if they have a high risk of either. While the anticipated benefit is a lower chance of vascular disease, taking daily aspirin is not without danger: for instance it raises the risk of internal bleeding. Hence the important need to discuss beforehand with the doctor, "In my case, doc, should I be taking daily aspirin?"

    But this week, the publication of three studies in The Lancet, has added a new benefit to the equation: cancer prevention, and stirred up the pros and cons debate.

    In those studies, Professor Peter Rothwell of Oxford University in the UK, a world expert on aspirin, and colleagues, confirm that for people in middle age, a daily dose of aspirin can cut the risk of developing several cancers, with effects starting after only two to three years rather than the ten or so previously thought.

    Moreover, they propose that treatment with daily aspirin may also prevent an existing, localized cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, which Rothwell says is just as important to know about, since that's when cancer becomes deadly.

    If you follow their reasoning, we appear to have reached a crucial point in the debate: on the one hand we have the benefit that aspirin can reduce cancer, stroke and heart attacks, which are much more likely to lead to disability or death, and on the other, we have the risk of internal bleeding, which is less harmful than those diseases.


    Such arguments cause more people, even those presently enjoying good health, to ask the question: "Should I be taking aspirin every day?"

    But, although Rothwell and colleagues present compelling evidence, despite some limitations, their papers do not necessarily furnish a clear answer to that question.

    Nevertheless, the balance of the pros and cons may alter in the light of their evidence, because not only does low dose aspirin therapy appear to increase the pros, it may also reduce the cons, in that the researchers found the risk of internal bleeding reduced with time.

    Plus, the new studies also raise a thorny public health question, similar to that surrounding cholesterol-busters, should health authorities consider recommending routine use of aspirin for cancer prevention?

    This was the subject of a commentary published in the same issue of the The Lancet. Here, Andrew T Chan and Nancy R Cook of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, suggest that on balance, we are not ready to recommend aspirin for cancer prevention.

    One reason is that the Rothwell studies did not include data from the largest randomized trials in primary prevention, the Women's Health Study (WHS), and the Physicians' Health Study (PHS), where subjects took aspirin every other day.

    "Also, despite a convincing case that the vascular and anticancer benefits of aspirin outweigh the harms of major extracranial bleeding, these analyses do not account for less serious adverse effects on quality of life, such as less severe bleeding," they add.

    However, Chan and Cook acknowledge that as we await results of additional trials, and the longer term follow up of the WHS and PHS, the Rothwell studies do move us a "step closer to broadening recommendations for aspirin use".

    At the very least, it means future evidence-based guidelines cannot ignore the use of aspirin for prevention of vascular disease in isolation from cancer prevention, they conclude.

    Other authorities have also been quick to respond to the new studies. In the UK, the NHS's answer to the question "Should I start taking aspirin?" is:

    "Overall, aspirin is a highly effective medical treatment when used appropriately, but it is not yet a drug that should be taken unsupervised on a daily basis, even at low doses."

    They, like Chan and Cook, say that while the Rothwell studies "provide compelling evidence, taking aspirin is not yet recommended to prevent cancer and people should not start taking it daily as a precautionary measure."

    For healthy people considering taking daily aspirin, they have this message:

    "Given that the potential risks could outweigh any benefits, it is not currently advised that healthy people with no risk factors for cardiovascular disease take aspirin to prevent possible cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke."

    They also say the evidence for taking aspirin purely to prevent cancer or to treat it is "even less substantial than for blood thinning", and urge "we cannot be sure that the potential benefits are not outweighed by the known risks".

    The reason aspirin is prescribed in a small daily dose as a means to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke, is because of the effect it has on the clotting action of platelets in the bloodstream.

    When we bleed, platelets in the blood build up at the site of the wound, forming a plug that stops further blood loss.

    But this clotting can also happen inside blood vessels, such as when a fatty deposit in a narrow artery bursts. At the site of the burst, blood platelets clump into a clot that can block the artery and stop blood flow to the brain or heart, resulting in a stroke or heart attack.

    Aspirin reduces the ability of the platelets to clump, thereby lowering the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.


    In the UK, for example, aspirin is prescribed as a blood-thinner to reduce the risk of clots. The treatment comprises a small daily dose, often around 75mg (a typical aspirin painkilling tablet has about 300mg of aspirin).

    But the downside to this anti-clotting benefit, is that aspirin can also cause serious harm, the best known of these being the small but important increased risk of stomach irritation and bleeding.

    And, ironically, while daily aspirin can help prevent a clot-related (ischemic) stroke, it may actually increase the risk of a bleeding (hemorrhagic) stroke.

    Although aspirin's risk-reduction benefits are different between men and women (and among women, it also depends on age), the risk of bleeding with daily aspirin is about the same in both sexes.

    The risk of bleeding also tends to be higher in older people, those with a history of stomach ulcers, and people already taking medication or who have conditions that increase the risk of bleeding.

    Daily aspirin use also increases the risk of developing a stomach ulcer. And, for anyone with a bleeding ulcer, taking aspirin will cause it to bleed more, perhaps to a life-threatening extent, say experts at the Mayo Clinic in the US.

    People with asthma can also experience breathing problems with aspirin.

    Other side effects of taking aspirin include nausea and indigestion, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss. And some people can have an allergic reaction. Aspirin recommendations

    Before you take aspirin, even as a pain reliever, experts generally recommend that you talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or are breastfeeding.

    The same goes for people with a blood disorder, a stomach ulcer, who suffer from asthma, have high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, or have allergic reactions to any drugs.

    It is also important to tell your doctor what other medications or supplements you are taking. Even if you take aspirin with ibuprofen, it reduces the benefits of the aspirin. And taking aspirin with other anti-clotting agents, such as warfarin, could also greatly increase your risk of bleeding.

    If you are on daily aspirin and need surgery or dental work, it is important you tell your surgeon or dentist what dose you are on, so they can minimize the risk of excessive bleeding during the procedure.

    The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also warns those who take aspirin regularly to limit their alcohol intake, because that can have an additional blood-thinning effect, and raises the risk of upset stomach.

    The Mayo Clinic suggest if you are on daily aspirin, you should limit your alcohol consumption to one drink or less per day if you are a woman, or two drink or less if you are a man.

    Another point they make, is that stopping daily aspirin therapy may be unsafe: there is a rebound effect that can trigger a blood clot and cause a heart attack or stroke. It is important to talk with your doctor first before you make any changes or stop your daily dose.

    Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 because of the risk of triggering a rare but dangerous condition known as Reyes syndrome, which is why in the UK it has been removed as an ingredient from all child and baby medicines.

    Many experts would also advise those thinking about taking daily aspirin as a way to cut cancer risk, to consider there are many other, less harmful lifestyle changes that can also make a difference: such as giving up smoking, following a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake, keeping to a normal weight, and taking regular exercise.

    Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561
    Quote Originally Posted by Koojo View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Oops wrong thread.


    Yes, taking it without medical advice is risky. My doctor recommends it.
    oops.
    Not for everyone, for me Koojo.

    That's what's called "medical advice".

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    Humbert's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last Online
    08-01-2024 @ 01:10 AM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    12,572
    Very informative. Aspirin is truly a wonder drug. I took daily for a blood clot in my leg after surgery and it worked wonders.
    Do not neglect to have colonoscopy done every ten years after age 50.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5,696
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda
    In the UK, for example, aspirin is prescribed as a blood-thinner to reduce the risk of clots. The treatment comprises a small daily dose, often around 75mg (a typical aspirin painkilling tablet has about 300mg of aspirin). But the downside to this anti-clotting benefit, is that aspirin can also cause serious harm, the best known of these being the small but important increased risk of stomach irritation and bleeding. And, ironically, while daily aspirin can help prevent a clot-related (ischemic) stroke, it may actually increase the risk of a bleeding (hemorrhagic) stroke. Although aspirin's risk-reduction benefits are different between men and women (and among women, it also depends on age), the risk of bleeding with daily aspirin is about the same in both sexes.
    Good thread, harry, but do you know about white willow bark which is the natural form of aspirin? The creators of aspirin copied the beneficial traits of white willow bark because you can patent a drug, blah blah blah.

    From memory, I believe you need to take white willow bark over a period of time to benefit from it. Let me see if I can find a short but sweet article on it.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561
    I think I might have had some in one of those Thai home made tonics which include Thai whisky, but I can't really remember it was that good.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5,696
    Apologies for our useless internet.

  15. #15
    Member
    ThaiAm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Last Online
    08-03-2016 @ 11:26 AM
    Location
    khamtakla, Sakon Nakorn
    Posts
    161
    I use baby aspirin daily, taking 1 60 grain baby aspirin before going to bed. This was approved by my doctor even though I am also on Coumadin blood thinner. I have been taking a daily aspirin for many years, probably about 30 and not had any of the stomach related issues come up.

    Not sure how this will effect me in my old age but so far at 78 have not had any issues with heart problems.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat
    DrAndy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    25-03-2014 @ 05:29 PM
    Location
    yes
    Posts
    32,025
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda
    I take an Aspirine C in a glass of water every night (if I'm not too pissed to remember).
    Quote Originally Posted by Koojo
    Also I believe it destroys your liver if you have alcohol in your blood while taking it.
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda
    My doctor recommends it.
    so you are at high risk of heart attack, harry?

    stay calm, don't get upset

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561
    ^ Oh fuck me, so you're a Doctor now, are you?

    Er, hang on.....

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
    DrAndy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    25-03-2014 @ 05:29 PM
    Location
    yes
    Posts
    32,025
    ^ that has made me feel guilty at winding you up

    making your blood pressure rise.....

    never mind

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,561
    Actually it's more the risk of stroke. My doctor said to me "You're going to have to stop masturbating". I said "Why?". She said "Because you're upsetting everyone else in the waiting room".


    Rat-a-tat-*ching*

  20. #20
    Banned

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last Online
    03-06-2014 @ 09:01 PM
    Posts
    27,545
    Yes, quality life through accumulated pharmaceuticals.

    Nothing up their sleeves...

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Last Online
    13-09-2019 @ 04:18 PM
    Location
    Samui
    Posts
    44,704
    I'm taking a couple of aspirin a day with this hot weather ongoing. Have to be careful tho not to get the blood too thin and bleed out if cut. I love April in Thailand!

  22. #22
    En route
    Cujo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    24-02-2024 @ 04:47 PM
    Location
    Reality.
    Posts
    32,939
    Quote Originally Posted by Rural Surin View Post
    Yes, quality life through accumulated pharmaceuticals.

    Nothing up their sleeves...
    mmmm pharmaceuticals.

    I used to be quite a fan back in the day.

  23. #23
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Last Online
    05-01-2014 @ 09:34 AM
    Posts
    98
    Humbert good advise there ,every 5yrs would be better though , look for the signs & act quickly , its something a lot of us guys dont consider enough ,

  24. #24
    Member
    Borey the Bald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Last Online
    13-09-2016 @ 07:18 AM
    Location
    Sakon Nakhon
    Posts
    549
    The problem with aspirin is that it is a cheap generic drug. Very inexpensive with a low profit margin. If it was still under patent to a pharma company, they would be charging dearly for it and every doctor on the planet would be prescribing it to almost everyone and getting a cut of the action.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat
    DrAndy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    25-03-2014 @ 05:29 PM
    Location
    yes
    Posts
    32,025
    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    I'm taking a couple of aspirin a day with this hot weather ongoing. Have to be careful tho not to get the blood too thin and bleed out if cut
    Is that what your doc suggested you do, two a day when it is hot?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •