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Aspirin and tamoxifen recommended for cancer prevention
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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British scientists have suggested preventing cancer development using popular and cheap drugs. Two independent studies have proven the effectiveness of aspirin and tamoxifen in preventing colon cancer and breast cancer, respectively.
Scientists led by John Burn (Newcastle University) observed 860 carriers of genes responsible for the development of hereditary forms of colon cancer for 4 years. 50% of the group took 600 mg of aspirin, the other half of people took a placebo. The results of the study showed that the disease developed in 19 participants from the group that received aspirin, and 34 from the control group.
At the same time, scientists led by Jack Cusick (Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, London) were monitoring women who had been diagnosed with increased breast tissue density as a result of mammography. The researchers found that within 10 years of the examination, these women were 4 times more likely to develop breast cancer than healthy women.
Jack Kusik noted that the use of tamoxifen, which is an anti-estrogen drug, leads to a decrease in the density of breast tissue. According to his data, the use of tamoxifen reduces the risk of developing breast cancer by 63%.
In conclusion, the scientist said that currently existing screening programs for early detection of breast cancer using mammography should be combined with the preventive administration of anti-estrogen drugs.
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