Daily use of aspirin can increase the risk of serious bleeding. This is shown in a new research review published in the journal Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Researchers found strong evidence that aspirin increases the risk of major bleeding outside the brain.
At the same time, there is likely also a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke, that is, bleeding in the brain.
The risk may arise from the very beginning of treatment. It also applies to low-dose aspirin, which is often considered safer.
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Uncertain effect
The researchers also examined whether aspirin can prevent colorectal cancer. This has long been a subject of research because the drug affects inflammatory processes in the body.
The analysis is based on ten randomized controlled studies with a total of 124,837 participants.
The studies investigated whether aspirin can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer or precancerous conditions.
The results show that aspirin probably does not reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in the first five to fifteen years after a person begins taking the medication.
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Long-term uncertainty
Some studies suggest that there may be a protective effect after more than ten to fifteen years. However, the researchers assess that the evidence for this effect is highly uncertain.
Researcher Bo Zhang explained in connection with the study: “My biggest worry is that people might assume that taking an aspirin today will protect them from cancer tomorrow”.
The researchers therefore emphasize that aspirin should not automatically be used to prevent colorectal cancer.
Instead, the decision should be made together with a doctor, weighing both the benefits and the risks.
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Sources: ScienceDaily, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
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