Well guys I found some important articles regarding the effects of aspirin and thought I should post them. Even though some parts seem to conflict I still do not think this is a 'safe' method to treat acne with:
FIRST ARTICLE:
Aspirin may reduce cancer risk
By Paul Sims, Evening Standard
11 November 2003
"People may soon be advised to take a regular dose of aspirin in a bid to stave off cancer, heart disease and even senile dementia. Doctors believe there could be enough medical evidence in the next 10 years to support widespread use of the drug.
But they are also calling for more research on the extent of aspirin's known side-effects and warned patients not to self-prescribe.
A London conference on the uses of aspirin in preventing cancer heard there was increasing evidence of the drug's beneficial effect across a range of diseases.
It is already known to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes in high-risk patients by up to a third.
There is also evidence to suggest that it could help prevent breast, prostate and bowel cancers, which claim up to 17,000 lives a year. Professor Peter Elwood, the doctor who first discovered the benefits of aspirin in treating cardiovascular disease, told The Times: "There's already abundant evidence of aspirin's profound advantages to cardiovascular disease, a possible reduction of Alzheimer's and probable reduction in a number of cancers.
"Should everyone over 50 or 55 or 60 be advised to take aspirin every day? It is a very serious question that needs to be asked and I believe we should debate that question." But aspirin can occasionally-cause internal bleeding and even ruptured blood vessels in people with ulcers and weak stomach linings.
Pregnant women are also at risk because it can increase the risk of a miscarriage.
A recent study of 1,000 people who were at increased risk of bowel cancer found that those taking aspirin reduced the threat of developing pre-cancerous growths by 19 per cent. Trials are ongoing but initial results are said to be equally positive.
A further study carried of 80,000 women found that those who regularly used drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen had the risk of developing breast cancer cut by almost 30 per cent in comparison with those who did not.
Many experts have welcomed the findings as "encouraging" but expressed caution.
Nick Henderson, executive director of the Aspirin Foundation, said: "My personal view is that aspirin is a life-saving drug with huge potential.
"What the medical profession has to weigh up is the modest risk of sideeffects against the benefits of helping you live longer."
He now envisages a time when people over 50 or 60 are regularly recommended the drug by their GPs."
SECOND ARTICLE (Published yesterday so more up-to-date)
Aspirin link to cancer risk
By Isabel Oakeshott, Health Correspondent, Evening Standard
8 January 2004
"Aspirin was at the centre of a health scare today amid evidence it could cause pancreatic cancer.
New research suggests those who use the painkiller regularly over a long period are up to 86 per cent more likely to develop the killer disease.
The findings will worry millions of people who take the pills every day because of their powers to prevent heart disease and strokes. It is the first serious question over the safety of regular use of the so-called "wonder drug".
Today experts warned doctors to take account of the possible risk and called for more research to assess the dangers.
The scare follows a study involving almost 90,000 women in America. More than a third of the women were regular aspirin users - reflecting the widespread popularity of the drug. Sales of the medication soared in Britain last year after it emerged that a daily dose may lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by up to 70 per cent. Thousands also take the pills before long-haul flights to ward off deep-vein thrombosis (DVT).
But the study found that women who took two or more aspirins a week for more than 20 years had a 58 per cent increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with women who rarely, or never, used the medication.
The risk of pancreatic cancer rose the more aspirins were taken. Compared with non-users, women who took 14 or more aspirins a week had an 86 per cent increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
The authors of the study, published by US-based National Cancer Institute, conclude: "Aspirin appears to increase the risk of pancreatic cancer after extended periods of use.
Risks and benefits have to be weighed carefully in any recommendations made by healthcare providers." Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with a 95 per cent mortality rate.
About 3,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in Britain, making it one of the least common cancers. Rates are far higher in the US.
Aspirin is one of the UK's best-selling non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
Today experts in Britain played down the fears.
Nick Henderson, of information group Aspirin Foundation, said: "People should not be unduly worried. All the evidence suggests that aspirin has great health benefits, not the opposite."
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Basically it comes down to personal choice and questioning whether you want to increase your long term risk of developing cancer for the sake of acne.
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