More Possible Value of Aspirin
Posted 7/13/2011
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I have written before about the possible value of daily aspirin in reducing breast cancer recurrence risk. Now, there is also a suggestion that this common drug may reduce the risk of melanoma by almost 50%. This is a report from msnbc.com about a study published by Robert Stern, MD, who is a dermatologist at BIDMC. I give you the introduction and then a link:
Daily aspirin may protect against melanoma
Long-term use cut risk of deadly skin cancer by almost half, study finds
An aspirin a day may keep melanoma at bay, a new study suggests.
After scrutinizing the medical records of 1,000 people, an international team of researchers have determined that the risk of melanoma was cut by almost half when people took a daily dose of aspirin for at least five years.
"Our data at least support the hypothesis that long-term steady aspirin use has an effect," said study co-author Dr. Robert Stern, a professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and chief of dermatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston.
Previously, the only melanoma prevention advice cancer experts could give was for people to stay out of the sun and get their skin checked for early warning signs of the disease. If melanoma isn't detected early, it can be deadly.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43468687/ns/health-cancer/
Additional note: Mary Flynn, PhD, RD, who is a research dietician at the Meriam Hospital in Providence and the author of The Pink Ribbon Diet, also shared these suggestions with me:
hi Hester, there are also a number of vegetables/ fruits that contain salicylic acid. Below is a list from a handout I have on the benefits of fruits and vegetables.
· Salicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory agent and the active component in aspirin. It is found in both fruits and vegetables. Salicylic acid has been related to decrease in breast cancer risk. Fruits high in salicylic acid are apricots, all berries, grapes and raisins, cantaloupe, cherries, oranges, pineapple, plum and prunes. Vegetables high in salicylic acid are broccoli, cucumber, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, processed tomatoes (canned, sauces ~ not fresh), green peppers, radishes and zucchini.
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