As most people know, a daily aspirin can help reduce the danger of a heart attack. According to urologist Des Moines Dr. Fawad Zafar, your heart isn’t the only part of your body that may benefit from a dose of the drug: Aspirin significantly reduces men’s risk of prostate cancer, as outlined in a new study issued by Duke University.
The 6,400 men, none of whom had prostate cancer at the beginning of the research, were part of the trial, a study designed to test whether a drug for enlarged prostate – dutasteride – reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
Duke University researchers opted to ask a second question: How did the men’s intake of aspirin affect their odds of a prostate cancer diagnosis?
Their interest was generated because of a previously observed phenomenon: Taking anti-inflammatory meds like aspirin can lower men’s levels of prostate-specific antigen, which, if elevated, is considered a marker for prostate cancer.
Half of the men in the study were taking aspirin, another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), or both. The other half weren’t. Over the course of the study, which lasted four years, the men taking the aspirin fared better.
Taking aspirin and/or NSAIDs was associated with a 13 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Even more promising according to your urologist Des Moines, is the fact that the OTC meds were linked to a 17 percent reduction in the odds of contracting aggressive prostate cancer.
Past research has indicated a similar link between aspirin and the prevention of other types of cancer. A 2010 study found that taking at least 75 milligrams of aspirin per day, over a period of five years, significantly reduced the risk of colon cancer.
Talk to your urologist Des Moines before adding aspirin to your medication regimen, especially if you’re already at high risk for prostate cancer. Risk factors include age, race/ethnicity, family history, obesity, and smoking.
Don’t hesitate – call the office of urologist Des Moines Dr. Fawad Zafar today to schedule a consultation.