Taking aspirin just once a year could lower the risk of stomach cancer by more than a third, research suggests.
A study found that those who had taken the drug in the previous 12 months were 36 per cent less likely to develop cancer in the middle or lower parts of the stomach than those who had taken none.
Those who had used ibuprofen were 32 per cent less likely to get the disease. The study also found repeated taking of the drug increased the protective effect.
It backs up previous studies which have shown that aspirin can protect against bowel cancer and breast cancer – as well as preventing clots by thinning the blood.
But doctors do not recommend taking aspirin regularly because it can cause the stomach to bleed.
February 7, 2009
