Researchers from the University of Minnesota have reported that women who take aspirin on a regular basis have a decreased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared with non-users. The details of this study were published in the February 8, 2010 issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention.[1]

There is accumulating evidence that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin could play a significant role in cancer prevention. Regular use of NSAIDs has been associated with a decreased incidence of skin cancers, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and prostate cancer. Regular use of aspirin has also been shown to reduce the incidence of colon adenomas, colorectal, gastric, head and neck, esophageal, breast, and pancreatic cancers.

The current study evaluated the effects of aspirin and NSAIDs on the incidence of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer in the Iowa Women’s Health Study. This study included 20,000 women between the ages of 58 and 76 years who were enrolled in the study in 1992. During this period, 311 women developed ovarian cancer and 167 developed endometrial cancer.

• Women who took aspirin <2 times per week had a 17% decreased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared with non-users.
• Women who took aspirin 2-5 times per week had a 23% decreased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared with non-users.
• Women who took aspirin six or more times per week had a 39% decreased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared with non-users.
• Non-aspirin NSAIDs use had no effect on the incidence of ovarian cancer.
• Aspirin and non-aspirin NSAIDs had no effect on the incidence of endometrial cancer.

Comments: These findings add ovarian cancer to the growing list of cancers that can be prevented by regular aspirin use.

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