THURSDAY, May 1, (News Locale) - Aspirin has been called the "Wonder Drug" for its beneficial effects in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Add another deadly disease to this arsenal - breast cancer. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute are reporting that a daily dose of aspirin has the ability to reduce the risk of a common type of breast cancer by 16 percent. 

Estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer is the most common type of the condition that is influenced by hormones. About 75% of breast cancers are estrogen-receptor-positive and a chance to reduce the incidence of this cancer by using aspirin is very exciting indeed.

The current study was a large one involving 127000 US women aged from 51 to 72 years. At the start of the study in 1996-1997 all women were breast cancer free. The women were asked to reveal how often they consumed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin.

The researchers followed the women till December 2003 during which 4,501 women developed breast cancer. The researchers found that women who used aspirin daily had a 16 percent less risk of developing estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer as opposed to women who did not use the drug.

However there was no evidence to indicate that NSAID use was linked to breast cancer in any way. Lead researcher Gretchen Gierach theorized that aspirin potentially reduces estrogen synthesis in the body and hence may have a positive impact in reducing the risk of ER-positive breast cancer.

Reporting in Breast Cancer Research, the authors did not say wy this effect was not noted with other NSAIDs like ibuprofen. This is not the first time aspirin has been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer.

In 2004 Columbia University researchers reported in the May 26 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association that weekly use of aspirin cuts the risk of breast cancer by 20 percent. However longer and more controlled trials are needed to accurately gauge the effect of aspirin on breast tumors.

The present study had some limitations such as the length of time of aspirin use was not noted. Additionally there was no data on how many women were menopausal as well.

Although aspirin is a wonder drug, it can sometimes cause fatal stomach bleeds because it prevent clot formation. Women considering starting on this therapy must consider the adverse effects as well.
 

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