Can aspirin increase survival in prostate cancer?

This study examined the effect of aspirin on prostate cancer mortality.

Multiple studies have suggested that prostate cancer patients could benefit from regular aspirin use. Aspirin is a salicylate that works to reduce substances in the body that cause pain, fever and inflammation. It is thought that aspirin works by preventing the inflammation that can act as a trigger for the growth of cancer cells. It has been associated with slower tumor growth, slower rates of metastasis (disease spread) and reduced mortality rates.

However, other studies have found no association between aspirin and prostate cancer-related mortality. Further, it is not clear whether a particular dosage or timing of aspirin use can have an effect on prostate cancer mortality. The current study analyzed the records of prostate cancer patients to explore whether aspirin use prior to diagnosis affected mortality, and whether any benefits were dependent on certain dosages or frequency of treatment.

The records of 2,936 men with Stage 1, 2, or 3 prostate cancer were analyzed. These records contained, along with information about the cancer and treatment, information on aspirin use and dosages in the 38.5% of patients who used aspirin regularly in the year prior to their prostate cancer diagnosis. Median follow-up was 5.5 years.

Aspirin use was associated with a 12% reduced risk of mortality, though this reduction was not statistically significant. This small benefit, however, was not seen in patients during the first 2 years of follow-up, but became apparent after 4 years.

Higher doses of aspirin (over 75 mg) were associated with a 39% reduced risk of mortality compared to patients who did not take aspirin regularly. Length of aspirin therapy did not affect mortality rates.

This study concluded that high-dose aspirin use prior to prostate cancer diagnosis can significantly improve mortality rates.

This was a small, retrospective study, which used information found in patient records. These types of studies do not have the statistical power that a controlled comparison (such as between aspirin users and non-aspirin users) would have. Because this was a retrospective study, and patients were not interviewed directly, it is unknown whether aspirin was taken regularly during the year prior to diagnosis. It is also unclear whether aspirin therapy would have a beneficial effect if started following diagnosis.

Consult with your physician regarding the risks and benefits of aspirin therapy.