A study presented at the American Association of Cancer Research in Florida from April 2 to 6, concluded that there was a significant reduction in pancreatic cancer risk for those individuals using aspirin at least once a month. Although this was a large collaborative study the results are preliminary according to the researcher and widespread use of aspirin without medical consultation is discouraged.
In the study 904 patients with documented pancreatic cancer were compared with 1,224 healthy patients. All were at least 55 years of age and reported their use of aspirin, NSAIDs and acetaminophen by questionaire. Results showed that those who took aspirin at least monthly had a 26% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who did not take regular aspirin. The results were also seen for those who took low dose aspirin for heart disease prevention at a 35% reduction. However, no benefits were seen for using non-aspirin NSAIDs or acetaqminophen.

More information is available at:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3mKguKWia2YJ:www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/new

Research published in the recent issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention concluded that postmenopausal women regularly using aspirin and other painkillers have lower estrogen levels than those not using these products and that may contribute to a decreased risk of breast or ovarian cancer.

Seven hundred forty postmenopausal women who participated in the Nurse’s Health Study were examined for an association between the use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen and concentrations of estrogens and androgens. Findings showed an inverse relationship between the frequency of painkiller use and estradiol, free estradiol, estrone sulfate and the ration of estradiol to testosterone.

Average estradiol levels were 10.5% lower among women regularly using aspirin or NSAIDs. In addition this group also showed 10.6% lower free estradiol levels, and 11.1% lower estrone sulfate levels. In addition, among regular users of any painkiller (aspirin, NSAIDs, or acetaminophen) the levels of these hormones were 15.2% lower (estradiol), 12.9% lower (free estradiol), and 12.6% lower (estrone sulfate).

Michael Thun, M.D. Vice-President Emeritus of epidemiology and surveillance research at the American Cancer Society said that the association of painkillers use and breast cancer risk is important but still unresolved. He further said that the results do not confirm a relationship between painkillers and lower circulating levels of estradiol but it is promising and further research is needed.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that “aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of cancer spread and death in women who have been treated for early breast cancer.” Researchers at Harvard Medical School studied 4,164 female registered nurses taking part in the Nurses’ Health Study. Starting in 1976 they looked at who took aspirin, who developed breast cancer and all causes of death up until 2006. During this time 341 nurses died of breast cancer. Of this group women who took aspirin two to five days a week had a 60% reduced risk of their cancer spreading and a 71% lower risk of breast cancer death. Other non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) in the same class as aspirin had the same effect and included ibuprofen and naproxen but not acetaminophen. This relationship was not as clear because of limited data. Although aspirin is relatively benign compared with chemotherapy drugs it can cause bleeding and should not be taken without medical supervision. It also should not be taken while undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy because of the possible side effects.

A study reported this month concluded that a daily dose of aspirin decreases the risk of death from colon cancer. Although it has been know that aspirin reduces the risk of developing colon cancer this study that needs to be replicated found that the risk of death in those with colon cancer is reduced by daily aspirin. The study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Assn reviewed 1,279 cases of men and women with colon cancer without metastasis and at different stages from 1980 to 2008. One of the two groups took a regular dose of aspirin (325mg) at least twice a week for a total dose of 650 mg or more for a week. Those with colon cancer and on the aspirin dose were 29% less likely to die of colorectal cancer and 21% less likely to die overall. More information is available at:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/320/6/649

A second study looked at weight lifting and breast cancer. In the past women treated for breast cancer were warned not to lift heavy items such as babies and groceries to avoid chronic arm swelling (lymphedema). Results of a new study from the University of Pennsylvania reverses this advice. In the study, women who lifted weights twice a week for a year after breast cancer had fewer debilitating symptoms and flare-ups and some of the 70 women were able to completely control the fluid buildup. This study was the the largest and most rigorous to show the benefits without risks of slow, progressive, strength training for women with breast-cancer related lymphedema. More information is available in: Schmitz, K, Ahmed, R, Troxel, A. et al (2009)
Weight Lifting in Women with Breast-Cancer-Related Lymphedema, NEJM, Vol 361, No 7, August 13, 664-672.