Aspirin benefit; In association with the NHS.

PEOPLE who have taken aspirin or ibuprofen at least once in the last year could be protecting themselves against stomach cancer, research has shown.

A study of more than 300,000 people found those who took aspirin in the previous 12 months were 36% less likely to develop cancer in the middle or lower parts of the stomach, compared with people who had taken none.

Those who had taken any other sort of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, were 32% less likely to get the cancer.

The study also found the more often people took the drugs, the greater their protective effect.

Researchers discovered no protection against cancer at the top of the stomach or the oesophagus, which contrasts with previous findings. However, when they combined their study results with results from other research, they found a protective effect against all types of stomach cancer.

The latest study, in the British Journal of Cancer, followed 311,115 people for around seven years and analysed their use of the painkillers in the year prior to the study starting.

A total of 73% of the group used aspirin and 56% had used other NSAIDs at least once in the 12 months prior to the start of the study. A quarter reported daily aspirin use, while 10% reported daily use of other NSAIDs.