Aspirin trial to examine if it can stop cancer returning
The worlds largest clinical trial to examine whether aspirin can prevent cancers returning has begun in the UK.
About 11,000 people who have had early bowel, breast, prostate, stomach and oesophageal cancer will be involved.
Uncertainty about the drugs possible anti-cancer qualities has led to fierce medical debate in recent years.
If it is proven to work, scientists say it would be game-changing, by providing a cheap and effective way to help more patients survive.
During the study, funded by the charity Cancer Research UK and the NIHR - the research arm of the NHS - patients will take a tablet every day for five years.
Toughest experiences
Researchers will compare groups of patients taking different doses of aspirin with people taking dummy (placebo) pills and check for any recurrences of cancer.
Dr Fiona Reddington from Cancer Research UK said: The trial is especially exciting as cancers that recur are often harder to treat so finding a cheap and effective way to prevent this is potentially game-changing for patients.
Any opportunity to reduce the chance of cancer coming back is incredibly important so patients can rest more easily - Alex King, Former cancer patient
The trial will run across 100 UK centres, involving patients who are having or have had treatment for early cancer, and will last up to 12 years.
But scientists warn that aspirin is not suitable for everyone and should not be used without medical advice.
Taking the drug every day comes with a serious health warning as it can cause side effects such as ulcers and bleeding from the stomach, or even the brain.
Prof Ruth Langley, lead investigator on the trial, said: Theres been some interesting research suggesting that aspirin could delay or stop early stage cancers coming back but theres been no randomised trial to give clear proof.
Source: BBC News Health
