Aspirin cuts risk of gastric cancer 36%

Aspirin users could be 36% less likely to get a type of stomach cancer, according to a study published in the February issue of the British  Journal of Cancer.

In a trial of over 300,000 people, the researchers found that people who  had taken the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug at least once in the  previous year were significantly less likely to get non-cardia gastric  cancer. There was also a 32% reduction for the same type of stomach  cancer in people who used other types of NSAIDs.

In contrast to the results of previous studies, the researchers found  that aspirin does not protect against esophageal cancer and cardia  gastric cancer, which is cancer of the top of the stomach. Taking  aspirin regularly has been found to cut the risk of bowel cancer, but it  is not currently recommended because side effects could include  bleeding within the abdomen.