A recent study suggests that taking an aspirin daily can significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women who are most likely to develop the disease.
This includes those with a family history of ovarian cancer and carriers of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, often referred to as the ‘Angelina Jolie gene.’
Aspirin is believed to work by blocking certain proteins that trigger cancer and reducing inflammation, which plays a crucial role in the development of ovarian cancer. Dr. Britton Trabert from the University of Utah, the lead author of the study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
She highlighted that ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer. He noted that most known risk factors, such as family history, genetic mutations, and endometriosis, cannot be modified.
The research team described their findings as “promising” and an “actionable step” for individuals at higher risk. Trabert said that daily or almost daily aspirin use was associated with a 13 percent reduction in ovarian cancer risk, benefiting most subgroups. This research supports the idea that frequent aspirin use could serve as a preventive measure for those in higher-risk categories.
A Harvard University study involving over 200,000 women found that a daily low dose of 75mg aspirin reduced ovarian cancer cases by about 25 percent. However, individual studies have yet to determine whether the drug benefits those at varying risk levels.
“We pooled data from 17 studies, nine prospective cohort studies from the Ovarian Cancer Cohort Consortium, and eight case control studies from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium that included more than 8,300 cases. This gave us a more detailed and accurate look than if we used published data,” Trabert stated.
They were defined by specific risk factors like family history of breast or ovarian cancer, endometriosis where womb tissue grows around the ovaries, obesity, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use and sterilisation where the fallopian tubes are tied.
Further Trabet noted: “Aspirin use has been linked with major adverse events, including internal bleeding and stroke. We wanted to evaluate whether aspirin could prevent ovarian cancer in people at higher risk.
“Since aspirin helped people who had two or more risk factors, we hope patients and clinicians can use this research to have an informed conversation when it comes to potential preventive measures.
Individuals should consult their health care providers before beginning new medication in order to most appropriately balance any potential risks with the potential benefits.”
Her research focuses on identifying strategies for prevention or early detection of ovarian and womb cancers. She earned a Department of Defense Investigator-Initiated Research Award for work on aspirin use and lower ovarian cancer rates.
Angelina Jolie had her breasts and ovaries removed after learning she carries a faulty copy of the BRCA1 gene. Ovarian cancer is known as ‘the silent killer’. There are few distinct symptoms until it is advanced.
Nine-in-10 women with early-stage ovarian cancer survive, dropping to just one in 10 if picked up late – one of the highest death rates of all cancers. Swift diagnosis is key.
Currently only around a third of women are diagnosed early with the majority at later stages. Aspirin has been used as a painkiller for thousands of years, since the Ancient Egyptians found an extract of willow bark helped mothers cope with child birth.
But in recent years scientists have found the cheap drug, commonly prescribed by doctors in lower doses to prevent heart problems, because it stops platelets in the blood clumping together to form clots.
Low dose aspirin has also been found to significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Experts advise people to consult their doctor before starting to take any drug. Aspirin is a blood thinner. It comes with a risk of internal bleeding – particularly among people with certain conditions such as an abnormal heart rhythm.
In can cause stomach bleeds and ulcers that may require hospital treatment, and in rare instances a stroke or a life-threatening haemorrhage.
