An Aspirin A Day May Keep Prostate Cancer At Bay

Men looking to lower their risks for developing prostate cancer may find that taking a simple aspirin a day can help. For those who have already been diagnosed with this disease, regular aspirin usage may help lower the risk of death associated with this disease.

Those are the findings of a recent study that delved into the role this common, over-the-counter blood thinner, pain reliever and known anti-inflammatory may play. As it turned out, researchers found that risks associated with developing a lethal form of prostate cancer were reduced by 24 percent in men who took aspirin regularly. They also found that men who had already presented with the disease as their risks of death drop by 39 percent with regular aspirin use.

While the findings of the multi-year study are quite positive, much study remains to be performed to better understand aspirin’s role. It currently remains unclear, as well, just how much of a dose is required to enjoy the maximum benefit of aspirin use.

Men who are seeking ways to lower their prostate cancer risks may find aspirin helps. This common over-the-counter drug is also widely used to promote heart health. Since it is a blood thinner, however, men should discuss routine aspirin use with their healthcare providers before adding it into the routine. Other ways to potentially lower prostate cancer risk include eating a healthy diet, maintaining healthy weight and refraining from the use of tobacco products.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed in more than 200,000 American men each year. All men are technically at risk for this potentially deadly disease. Men are urged to discuss their risks and early screening procedures with their healthcare providers. Early screening should generally start around the age of 50 for men who are considered at low to average risk for the disease.