Should You Take Low-dose Aspirin Every Day?

Dr. Peter Rothwell of the University of Oxford says “yes” in his article in Lancet in March, 2012. There are mixed reports about the use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but Dr. Rothwell has shown that it can help prevent the occurrence and spread of esophageal and colon cancer. Five other British studies have confirmed the benefit with lung, prostate and colon cancer by as much as 46%. Two U.S. studies had negative results, but those studies looked at patients taking the drug only every other day. The appropriate dose appears to be 81 mg every day with food. See Lancet, March 21 issue.