Aspirin may fight cancer, studies show

Aspirin reduces the chances of developing or dying from cancer earlier than previously thought and also prevents tumors from spreading, British studies show.

People who took a daily dose of aspirin had a 24 percent lower rate of developing cancer after three years and were 37 percent less likely to die from it after five years than those who didn't, according to a report Wednesday in The Lancet. The rate was similar for men and women.

Doctors have known since 2007 that aspirin can reduce the long-term risk of dying from cancer, though those benefits are only seen after at least eight years. The new studies show the drug also has short-term advantages, suggesting it could be used to treat some tumors, said Peter Rothwell, an Oxford University professor who led the research. "Because aspirin prevents the spread of cancers, it could potentially be used as a treatment," he added.

But the research is not conclusive, and did not prove that aspirin combats cancer. So, people should not start popping aspirin in the hopes of thwarting cancer, experts said.

-- Combined news services