- Researchers say that daily low-dose aspirin does not seem to reduce the risk of cancer in older people.
- However, the findings suggest that daily aspirin use may increase the risk of cancer-related death in older adults.
- Experts say older adults can lower their cancer risk by eating a plant-based diet, refraining from smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
In a new study, researchers say aspirin should not be given to older adults as a cancer prevention strategy.
They say their findings show that taking daily low-dose aspirin actually increased the risk of cancer-related death in adults over 65 during the 10-year study period.
They added that daily aspirin administration had no effect on the overall risk of developing cancer.
“The results of this study suggest that starting a multiyear aspirin strategy for cancer prevention is not recommended in older adults,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers proposed conducting a long-term study to examine “legacy” effects on cancer prevention in people aged 65 and older.
katherine van loonM.D., a gastrointestinal cancer expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study, said it raises some interesting questions.
“This contradicts previously reported data in younger groups and suggests that there may be some age-related biological factors that account for differences in aspirin effectiveness,” she told Healthline. “Further research is needed to understand this further.”
The researchers said they started the study due to the fact that almost all research has been completed. two-thirds The majority of people diagnosed with cancer worldwide are over 60 years of age. More than 70% of cancer deaths occur in this age group.
In the United States,
To examine the effectiveness of aspirin on cancer risk, researchers used data on aspirin to reduce events in older adults (asprey) Randomized clinical trials conducted from 2010 to 2017 prescribed daily low-dose aspirin for a median of 4.7 years.
The researchers then added a follow-up period for these participants from 2018 to 2024 and analyzed data from May 2025 to November 2025.
In total, the researchers examined data from more than 19,000 individuals in Australia and the United States. Australian participants were at least 70 years old, US participants were at least 65 years old, and comprised Black and Latinx individuals.
Overall, the median age of Australian and US participants was 75 years. Approximately 56% of the study subjects were women.
Participants received 100 milligrams (mg) of aspirin or a placebo daily.
None of the participants were diagnosed cardiovascular disease, dementiaor the occurrence of a physical disability that limits independence during a median follow-up of 8.6 years.
During the follow-up period, researchers reported that a total of 3,448 study participants developed cancer and 1,173 died from cancer.
The researchers reported that during long-term follow-up, low-dose aspirin was “not associated with cancer incidence in older adults, but did significantly increase the risk of cancer death.”
However, they noted that “aspirin participants showed an increased risk of death from cancer.” [random control trial] This period did not persist into the post-RCT observation period, suggesting no legacy effect. ”
Nevertheless, the researchers still concluded that routine low-dose aspirin is not effective as a cancer prevention tool in older adults.
Van Loon said a lot can be learned from this latest study.
“I think patients need to evaluate the risks and benefits of aspirin use on an individual basis,” she says.
“This study only included patients without cardiovascular disease, so this can only really be estimated in patients for whom aspirin is not recommended for cardiovascular disease.”
“The age at which aspirin was started also appears to be a factor, and younger patients may benefit more,” she added. “Right now, I think we can say that older adults should not be started on aspirin therapy solely for the purpose of cancer prevention.”
“If a patient’s main life-limiting complication is cardiovascular disease and their doctor recommends the use of aspirin to improve that risk, I would advise that they follow that advice,” Van Loon said.
Rigved TadwarkarM.D., medical director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center and consulting cardiologist at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, said the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA). give advice Opposes the routine use of aspirin as primary prevention in older adults without a history of cardiovascular disease. Tadwarkar was not involved in the study.
However, there are exceptions, including people who are at risk of developing the disease, he said.
“As a cardiologist, my recommendations regarding aspirin use depend entirely on the individual patient’s circumstances. There is no blanket approach,” Tadwarkar told Healthline.
“The key is to take aspirin every day. heart health “This is no longer an easy decision. It is definitely recommended for most people who have already had a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack,” he added. But for those who don’t have that history, it’s more nuanced. ”
That’s why most people should only take aspirin if their doctor recommends it, even after a heart attack.
The question of whether daily doses of low-dose aspirin are beneficial has been studied and debated for many years.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
However, daily use of aspirin not only increases the risk of bleeding; inflammation Located in the stomach and small intestine.
a 2024 survey We conclude that daily low-dose aspirin does not affect the incidence or progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Physicians at the University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center in Houston in 2020 advised Pregnant people should take lower doses of aspirin to reduce the risk of infection. preeclampsiaHowever, an increased risk of bleeding was noted. However, this recommendation only applies to those who are at risk of developing this pregnancy complication.
There is signs This means that higher doses of aspirin may help relieve migraine pain.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2022 updated In its recommendations on aspirin use, the agency states that it “refers against initiating the use of low-dose aspirin for the primary prevention of disease.” [cardiovascular disease] For adults over 60 years old. ”
The recommendations note that daily use of aspirin as a primary prevention measure for cardiovascular disease for people aged 40 to 59 years should be a personal choice.
“Evidence indicates that the net benefits of aspirin use in this group are small,” the task force wrote. “People who are not at high risk of bleeding and are willing to take a low dose of aspirin daily are more likely to benefit.”
National Council on Aging (NCOA) state This means there are many ways older adults can reduce their risk of cancer.
One of the main steps is to stay informed about cancer screening. They point out that early detection can “reduce the extent of treatment, increase treatment options, and increase the chance of survival.”
They also recommend that seniors:
- refrain from tobacco use
- limit alcohol use
- eat a plant-based diet
- maintain a healthy weight
- Wear sunscreen when going out
The organization also points out that it’s important to know your family’s cancer history.
Mr Van Loon agreed with the NCOA’s advice.