Editorial: Mere aspirin merely impressive

Take one aspirin, and you may not have to call the doctor at all.

A recent analysis by the American Cancer Society of more than 40 studies aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease was the fourth set of results in the last month to show that aspirin can reduce cancer risks significantly.

Three to five years after study participants began taking one low-dose, 81-milligram tablet of aspirin per day, they had a 20 percent reduction in overall cancer rates. More than five years after beginning the regimen, the reduction was 30 percent. Doctors believe aspirin helps by preventing the process of inflammation and working against compounds, known as prostaglandins, that have been implicated in certain cancers.

A daily aspirin regimen isn't for everyone. For some, it can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure and stroke. But many people can take these small doses of aspirin safely, and for those whose doctors approve, it may be merited.

Beyond that, what's becoming ever clearer is how much a generally fit life can stave off cancer and other illnesses. Smoking, obesity, a lack of exercise and unhealthy foods all increase the risk of cancer and other killers. Cancer therapies are improving every year, but avoiding the disease is far preferable to hoping you can treat it. Live right and, perhaps, take a daily aspirin, and you may well avoid some very painful, very costly headaches.