There is promising evidence aspirin can help drastically cut deaths among prostate cancer patients, a U.S. researcher says.
Dr. Kevin Choe of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas says men with prostate cancer who take anti-coagulants such as aspirin in addition to radiation therapy or surgery may be able to cut their risk of dying of cancer by more than half.
“Findings from this study—involving 5,275 men with localized prostate cancer—are promising, but, further studies are necessary before the addition of aspirin to prostate cancer therapy becomes standard treatment,” Choe, the study author, says in a statement.
Choe points out other studies have had mixed results with anti-coagulants.
“If the cancer has already metastasized, then anti-coagulants may not be as beneficial,” Choe says.
Choe’s study also finds the benefits were greatest with aspirin—versus other anti-coagulants—and in those with the most aggressive form of cancer.
“This is exciting news as patients with high-risk disease have the most aggressive cancer, with a high likelihood of dying from the disease, and the treatment options are currently limited,” Choe adds.
The findings are scheduled to be presented at the 52nd annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology in San Diego.
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DALLAS, Oct. 27 (UPI)
