Colorectal Cancer

Aspirin that is known to lower risk of cardiovascular disease in certain men and women can also be used to prevent colorectal cancer and heart attacks according to an expert panel of doctors from the United States. The preventive benefits of the medicine were published by the United States Preventive Services Task Force that wields enormous influence in US.

The suggestion however has drawn criticism as high dosage of aspirin is known to expose healthy individuals to hemorrhagic strokes including stomach and brain bleeding. The panel’s earlier recommendations on mammograms and prostate cancer screening have been received well in the US.

The panel in its report suggested that taking low dose aspirin can help prevent stroke and colorectal cancer in adults aged between 50 and 69 who are at high risk of developing these diseases. High-risk adults between 60 and 69 however have to be careful because it can lead to harmful bleeding, the report warned. Approximately 40% adults aged above 50 in US use aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease and this number is poised to go up if the recommendations receive a nod from authorities.