Can daily aspirin help prevent cancer?
Many people take low-dose aspirin daily for heart and stroke prevention, and some wonder if the same habit also lowers cancer risk. The quick answer isn’t simple. Research shows modest, cancer-specific benefits in some groups, but the overall picture varies by individual risk, age, and the potential for serious side effects. If you’re in your 70s or 80s, the balance of benefits and harms shifts compared with younger adults.
What the science says about aspirin and cancer
Evidence suggests aspirin may reduce the risk of certain cancers, most consistently colorectal cancer, especially with long-term use. Some studies also hint at reduced risks for other cancers, but results are not uniform, and the protective effect tends to be small on an absolute scale. Importantly, most cancer prevention benefits appear most pronounced in adults who do not already have high bleeding or cardiovascular risks.
However, aspirin is not a free pass. It increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke, and those risks rise with age, duration of use, and other health problems. In older adults, the potential harms often outweigh the modest cancer-related gains, particularly for individuals who have already reached their 70s or 80s.
People with a long history of aspirin use
Your case—taking aspirin daily for arthritis since your late 20s—places you in a unique position. If you have tolerated aspirin well, you may question whether to continue. The cancer prevention benefit, if present for you, would be just one part of the equation. Other factors to weigh include: prior ulcers or bleeding, liver or kidney disease, interactions with medications (such as anticoagulants or certain antidepressants), and your blood pressure and cholesterol status.
How doctors weigh risks and benefits
Guidelines for aspirin use are nuanced and age-dependent. Some organizations advise considering daily aspirin for primary prevention only in adults aged 50–59 with low bleeding risk and a long life expectancy, and even then only after a careful discussion of risks. For adults aged 60–69, the decision is more individualized. For those 70 and older, routine daily aspirin for cancer prevention is generally not recommended due to higher bleeding risk and unclear net benefit.
What should you do next?
- Discuss your personal history with your doctor, including your arthritis management, family cancer history, and any signs you’ve noticed. A clinician can help quantify your specific bleeding and cardiovascular risks.
- Consider a personalized risk assessment. This may include reviewing your past ulcers, GI symptoms, use of NSAIDs, and whether you’re taking other medications that interact with aspirin.
- Discuss alternatives for cancer risk reduction: routine age-appropriate cancer screenings (colorectal, breast, prostate, etc.), maintaining a healthy lifestyle (smoking avoidance, healthy weight, physical activity, a balanced diet), and managing chronic conditions.
- If you and your doctor decide to continue aspirin, establish a plan for monitoring and re-evaluating the decision regularly, especially as health status changes.
Practical tips if you stay on aspirin
- Take the lowest effective dose if advised by your clinician (many people use low-dose aspirin, but dosing should be personalized).
- Take it with food to reduce stomach upset, unless your doctor specifies otherwise.
- Be alert for signs of bleeding (unusual bruising, black or tarry stools, blood in vomit) and seek medical advice promptly if they occur.
Bottom line
Daily aspirin may offer some cancer-related benefits for certain people, but the risks—especially in older adults—are meaningful. For someone in their mid-to-late 70s with long-term use, a careful, individualized discussion with a healthcare provider is essential to determine whether to continue, modify, or stop aspirin. The goal is to optimize overall health and balance cancer prevention with safety.
