Can aspirin stop cancer of the bowel? North scientist discovers link.

Byline: Jane Kirby

ADAILY dose of aspirin could help prevent a genetic form of bowel cancer, North researchers say.

People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, upper urinary tract, brain, skin, and prostate.

The syndrome causes about 5% of all bowel cancers, and especially targets the colon and rectum.

Yesterday Professor John Burn, from the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University, presented research at a cancer conference in BerlinJane Kirby and said he and colleagues may have uncovered a simple way of controlling cancer stem cells, which help tumours to grow.

The researchers led a clinical trial involving 1,071 people with the Lynch syndrome genetic mutation in 42 locations worldwide. People were split into two groups and given either a daily dose of 600mg aspirin or a dummy drug.

Follow-up tests showed a difference was detected after four years, with fewer people in the aspirin group developing colon cancer.

In the group that got aspirin, six people developed colon cancer, versus 16 in the group that were given placebo.

The researchers noted side effects of aspirin, including internal bleeding and ulcers among some patients, but this was counter-balanced by fewer strokes and heart attacks in the aspirin group. Prof Burn is planning another study to see whether a smaller dose of aspirin would have the same beneficial effect or not. He said: "We are planning to ask people with Lynch syndrome to agree to 'toss a coin' and take, say, either one or two aspirin tablets per day. Then we can see whether the people on the lower dose have the same protection, with fewer side effects.

"The problem is that, to have a significant result, this will need about 10 times as many people as we needed for our first trial, but the good news is that everyone gets treated."