2p pill taken daily could slash risk of developing one of UK's worst cancers
The PLANETS cancer charity funded the study, which has made a "significant finding" for the treatment of what is "one of the worst" cancers because of its poor survival rate
by Neil Shaw · ChronicleLiveRegular consumption of aspirin has been linked to a significant reduction in the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer, with diabetics observing a 40% decrease in risk and a 20% reduction seen within the wider population, recent research highlights.
The study underpinning this ground-breaking insight was financially supported by the PLANETS cancer charity, which hailed the discovery as a significant finding in combating what is considered one of the worst forms of cancer due to its notoriously low survival rates.
The research team, composed of experts from University Hospital Southampton and the University of Southampton, conducted their examination on a sample of nearly 10,000 individuals, all part of the UK Biobanka comprehensive dataset comprising half a million participants aged between 37 and 73 who were recruited over the time frame spanning from 2006 to 2010. Their findings revealed that regular aspirin use resulted in a 40% plummet in pancreatic cancer risk for those living with diabetes mellitus and harboured a 20% preventive benefit for the general populace.
According to the researchers, these results not only stand on their own but also align with former studies evidencing aspirins inhibitory impact on other forms of cancer emergence. Notably, the recorded risk diminution appeared consistent at both two-year and five-year intervals subsequent to enrolment in the investigation.
A spokesperson for PLANETS remarked on the previous work which suggests that aspirin impedes the synthesis of certain enzymes that amplify inflammation in the body, thereby fostering the proliferation of cancerous cells. He elucidated: "People over 50 who develop new-onset diabetes are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than the general population."
"Although the reasons for the link are not clearly defined, both are diseases of the pancreas and involve intolerance to sugar. The most common form, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC), has the lowest survival rate of any cancer and is usually detected at an advanced stage, with five-year survival at just 5%.", reports Wales Online.
The research from Southampton, featured in the Pancreatology journal, points to aspirin's potential in lowering the risk of pancreatic cancer development. Dr Zaed Hamady, a consultant hepatobiliary, pancreatic and robotic surgeon at University Hospital Southampton, articulated: "Pancreatic cancer is rated to be one of the worst cancers and almost everyone affected by pancreatic cancer will die within five years of their diagnosis, with long-term survival limited to those diagnosed with early stage disease suitable for curative surgery."
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He added, "In addition, the trend of pancreatic cancer is increasing in the UK as well as worldwide in a similar way to other cancers and we know there is a particular association between the development of diabetes and pancreatic cancer. This large study demonstrates that commonly-used aspirin, which is traditionally associated with reducing the risk of heart attacks or heart complications, can prevent the development of pancreatic cancer."
"We found there is a 20% reduced risk among the general population, which has been demonstrated in the past with other cancers, particularly colon, but can now be replicated in pancreatic cancer. However, what is more striking is that the preventative effect is stronger in people with diabetes, with 40% less risk in this patient group."
"Given the association of diabetes with pancreatic cancer risk and the associated poor outcomes for everyone affected, this is a very significant finding."