Aspirin: the effect on prostate cancer mortality

The authors aimed to determine whether aspirin had any limiting effects on mortality in prostate cancer. 

Aspirin is a drug typically used as a pain-killer. However it has been used in numerous studies to determine a relationship between aspirin and prostate cancer progression. Some studies have concluded that there is a strong link between aspirin and a reduction in prostate cancer mortality (death from prostate cancer), while others have concluded no link between the two.

This study aimed to determine whether using aspirin after prostate cancer diagnosis could decrease the risk of mortality in prostate cancer patients.

11, 779 patient were included in this study with an average age of 71.3 years and an average follow-up time of 5.4 years. From this 1,793 patients died from prostate cancer and 3, 502 died from other causes.  

Patients risk of prostate cancer mortality (chances that the patient will die from prostate cancer) was increased by 46% in patients that took aspirin after diagnosis while there was no effect witnessed in patients who had taken aspirin before diagnosis. The highest rsk was found in patients taking aspirin for less than 12 months (61%).

There was a 37% increase in the risk of all-cause mortality (death from any cause) in patients taking aspirin after diagnosis in comparison to those who weren't, with the highest risk found in patients taking aspirin for less than 12 months (49%).

Overall comparisons between patients taking aspirin before diagnosis compared to those taking it after diagnosis showed an increased risk of both mortality and all-cause mortality that almost doubled in patients who took aspirin after diagnosis compared to those taking it before diagnosis.

Aspirin does not decrease prostate cancer mortality. As increased mortality risks were associated with aspirin started after diagnosis, the association may be due to other factors. 

It is not fully known if patients complied with filling and taking prescriptions so results may be biased.

If you are concerned with affects aspirin may have on your cancer progression, please consult your doctor.