Physicians today can’t emphasize more how important is prevention when it comes to cancer. But, as much as people try to avoid factors that might lead to the development of cancer, the issue remains highly sensitive. A particular prevention method circulated for some time now is the intake of a low dose of aspirin, a drug ruled in common knowledge as the one-cent miracle treatment and prevention method for heart attack, stroke and even cancer. A new study shows that one aspirin a day can reduce the risk of cancer.

Lead author Professor Peter Rothwell with the University of Oxford and his team have stumbled upon remarkable findings. Their study comes to prove that the common knowledge that ruled aspirin as the one-cent miracle working drug is quite true. Researchers have undertaken more than just one study. Their conclusions are published in “The Lancet”.

Although commonly recommended for a while in the treatment and prevention of heart disease, heart attacks, Parkinson’s disease, asthma and a plethora of cancers, many remained suspicious. The issue at hand is that aspirin is a very affordable, over the counter drug. If aspirin is so effective, what’s the purpose of other more expensive and health damaging drugs?

Rothwell’s studies have come to several important conclusions. First of all, based on their data, researchers found that a regular consumption of low doses of aspirin during 5 years will reduce the risk of cancer death by 37 percent. Aspirin proved to be effective in reducing the risk of death by colon, esophagus, breast and other cancers as well.

Aspirin has also been proved to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease. A monthly intake of aspirin reduces the risk of heart disease by 35 percent. Meanwhile, regular intake of aspirin has been linked to the reduction of developing asthma by 22 percent.

Dr. Rothwell explained: “What really jumps out at you in terms of prevention is the striking 75 percent reduction in esophageal cancer and a 40 to 50 percent reduction in colorectal cancer, which is the most common cancer right now”.

As a final conclusion, Rothwell pointed out that the studies are just the beginning, so data needs to be confirmed more. However, the researcher added: “In terms of prevention, anyone with a family history would be sensible to take aspirin”.