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Aspirin may reduce risk of prostate cancer recurrence

Category: Prostate

For men who have received radiation treatment for prostate cancer, taking aspirin may help them keep their PSA test scores low and avoid a recurrence of the disease, according to a new study from researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

After studying more than 2,000 men for a period of 10 years, the researchers found that those who took aspirin at the time of radiation therapy were significantly less likely to experience a recurrence. While 39 percent of those who did not take aspirin had their prostate cancer return within 10 years, only 31 percent of those who took aspirin on a regular basis experience this outcome.

The reasons for these benefits were not determined by the study, but the researchers speculated that aspirin may interact with radiation therapy in a beneficial way, improving the function of the radiation.

The researchers said that this study provides the first hard evidence that aspirin therapy can improve prostate cancer treatment outcomes. While more analysis is needed to determine optimal dosing, they said the medicine could provide an inexpensive, effective supplement for prostate cancer survivors.