A new study suggests that taking two aspirins a week may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in adults with unhealthy lifestyles. The research, conducted by Mass General Brigham, involved nearly 108,000 health professionals – most of whom were over the age of 50.

The researchers recorded their aspirin intake and gave them a lifestyle score based on their body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diet and cigarette smoking tendency. Participants took two or more standard tablets, which were 325 mg each, or at least six low-dose tablets, or 81 mg each, per week.

Participants were tracked for more than 30 years, with researchers documenting nearly 2,500 cases of colorectal or colon cancer — which develops from polyps in the inner lining of your colon. If left untreated, colon cancer can spread to other areas of your body and be life-threatening.

People with unhealthy lifestyles benefit more from aspirin

The study concluded that people with unhealthy lifestyles – those who were obese and smoked heavily – benefited most from aspirin compared with healthy people. Unhealthy participants had a 3.4 percent chance of developing colorectal cancer if they did not take aspirin regularly, compared with a 2.1 percent chance if they did.

Study published in JAMA Oncologysaid that among people who followed a healthy lifestyle, the rate of colorectal cancer was 1.5 percent in the group who regularly took aspirin and 1.6 percent in those who did not. “Our results suggest that aspirin may proportionally reduce the significantly increased risk in people with multiple risk factors for colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Daniel Sikavi, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and lead author of the paper.

“In contrast, people with a healthy lifestyle have a lower risk of colorectal cancer, and therefore, their benefit from aspirin is still evident, albeit less clear,” Dr. Sikavy said.

How does aspirin help reduce the risk of colon cancer?

According to experts, aspirin can inhibit the cyclooxygenase or COX enzymes. The drug triggers the production of two tumor-inhibiting microRNA molecules known as miR-34a and miR-34b/c. It also binds to and activates other enzymes that help regulate cellular metabolism. Ultimately, the drug reduces oxidative stress and reduces systemic inflammation – by moving into the cell nucleus and activating the expression of the miR-34 gene there.

Aspirin also inhibits oncogene products that play a key role in tumor formation and growth.

What is colon cancer?,

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, with over 1.9 million new cases diagnosed in 2020. It is estimated that by 2040, there will be 3.2 million new cases of colorectal cancer.

Doctors say this cancer affects the wall of your colon – which is made up of layers of mucous membrane, tissue and muscle. Colon cancer begins in the mucosa – the innermost layer of your colon, which causes cells to mutate forming colon polyps. Over time, the polyps become cancerous. According to experts, colon cancer usually affects people aged 50 and above. However, in the past few years, the rate of occurrence of this disease has increased significantly even in people as young as 20 due to unhealthy lifestyles.

Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Although you can have colon cancer without any symptoms, some common symptoms are:

• blood in your stool
• a persistent change in your bowel habits
• stomach ache
• Swelling
• unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting and nausea
• Fatigue and weakness
• breathlessness

Get the latest news on Times Now along with the latest updates and top headlines from health and around the world.