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Tag: Cancer

Aspirin use may be reduced the risk of Bile duct cancer !

Aspirin use may be reduced the risk of Bile duct cancer !

Evidence from new study provides anticancer properties of aspirin, after finding the drug may be effective for reducing the development of bile duct cancer.

There are three types of bile duct cancers: intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal. Perihilar bile duct cancer begins in the hilum – where the left and right hepatic bile ducts join – while distal bile duct cancer develops further down the small intestine.

According to the American Cancer Society, bile duct cancer is uncommon relative to other cancers, affecting around 2,000-3,000 people in the United States every year.

However, survival rates for bile duct cancer are low; the 5-year relative survival rate for people diagnosed with intrahepatic bile duct cancer is only 15 percent, while the 5-year survival rate stands at 30 percent for those diagnosed with perihilar or distal bile duct cancers.

Now, new research – recently published in the journal Hepatology – suggests aspirin use may reduce the likelihood of developing bile duct cancer.



Aspirin users up to 3.6 times lower risk for bile duct cancer

To reach their findings, co-lead author Dr. Jonggi Choi and colleagues, from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, MN, assessed the aspirin use of 2,395 individuals with bile duct cancer who visited the Mayo Clinic between 2000-2014.

The data were compared with 4,769 healthy controls who were matched for age, sex, race, and residence.

Aspirin was used by 591 (24.7 percent) patients with bile duct cancer and 2,129 (44.6 percent) healthy controls.

Compared with individuals who did not use aspirin, those who did use aspirin were 2.7-3.6 times less likely to develop bile duct cancer, the researchers report.

Additionally, on analyzing the results by the three bile duct cancer subtypes, the team found that the risk of each subtype varied with certain factors. These factors included primary sclerosing cholangitis – inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts – cirrhosis, hepatitis B, diabetes, and smoking.

“This supports the hypothesis that the three CCA [cholangiocarcinoma] subtypes are distinct diseases and that each subtype thus has its own susceptibility to risk factors,” say the authors.

Aspirin may target pro-inflammatory enzyme to prevent bile duct cancer

While the researchers are unable to explain exactly how aspirin may protect against bile duct cancer, they suggest it may be down the anti-inflammatory properties of the drug.

“Chronic persistent inflammation is one of the key elements that promotes cancer of the bile ducts, and well-known risk factors for bile duct cancer have all been shown to increase the risk for bile duct cancer by inducing chronic inflammation of the ducts,” explains Dr. Choi.




“Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory agent and may reduce the risk of bile duct cancer by reducing inflammation through inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme,” he adds. “Previous studies have shown that aspirin also blocks additional biological pathways that promote cancer development.”

The researchers believe their findings suggest aspirin use could be a viable strategy to lower the risk of bile duct cancer.

“Until now, there has been little evidence of a potential role for aspirin in the prevention of bile duct cancer. Our study provides the first evidence for this.”
Dr. Roongruedee Chaiteerakij, co-lead study author

However, the authors say further research is needed to determine whether the drug is safe and cost-effective for this purpose.

Aspirin use may be reduced the risk of Bile duct cancer !

Aspirin use may be reduced the risk of Bile duct cancer !

Evidence from new study provides anticancer properties of aspirin, after finding the drug may be effective for reducing the development of bile duct cancer.

There are three types of bile duct cancers: intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal. Perihilar bile duct cancer begins in the hilum – where the left and right hepatic bile ducts join – while distal bile duct cancer develops further down the small intestine.

According to the American Cancer Society, bile duct cancer is uncommon relative to other cancers, affecting around 2,000-3,000 people in the United States every year.

However, survival rates for bile duct cancer are low; the 5-year relative survival rate for people diagnosed with intrahepatic bile duct cancer is only 15 percent, while the 5-year survival rate stands at 30 percent for those diagnosed with perihilar or distal bile duct cancers.

Now, new research – recently published in the journal Hepatology – suggests aspirin use may reduce the likelihood of developing bile duct cancer.



Aspirin users up to 3.6 times lower risk for bile duct cancer

To reach their findings, co-lead author Dr. Jonggi Choi and colleagues, from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, MN, assessed the aspirin use of 2,395 individuals with bile duct cancer who visited the Mayo Clinic between 2000-2014.

The data were compared with 4,769 healthy controls who were matched for age, sex, race, and residence.

Aspirin was used by 591 (24.7 percent) patients with bile duct cancer and 2,129 (44.6 percent) healthy controls.

Compared with individuals who did not use aspirin, those who did use aspirin were 2.7-3.6 times less likely to develop bile duct cancer, the researchers report.

Additionally, on analyzing the results by the three bile duct cancer subtypes, the team found that the risk of each subtype varied with certain factors. These factors included primary sclerosing cholangitis – inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts – cirrhosis, hepatitis B, diabetes, and smoking.

“This supports the hypothesis that the three CCA [cholangiocarcinoma] subtypes are distinct diseases and that each subtype thus has its own susceptibility to risk factors,” say the authors.

Aspirin may target pro-inflammatory enzyme to prevent bile duct cancer

While the researchers are unable to explain exactly how aspirin may protect against bile duct cancer, they suggest it may be down the anti-inflammatory properties of the drug.

“Chronic persistent inflammation is one of the key elements that promotes cancer of the bile ducts, and well-known risk factors for bile duct cancer have all been shown to increase the risk for bile duct cancer by inducing chronic inflammation of the ducts,” explains Dr. Choi.




“Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory agent and may reduce the risk of bile duct cancer by reducing inflammation through inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme,” he adds. “Previous studies have shown that aspirin also blocks additional biological pathways that promote cancer development.”

The researchers believe their findings suggest aspirin use could be a viable strategy to lower the risk of bile duct cancer.

“Until now, there has been little evidence of a potential role for aspirin in the prevention of bile duct cancer. Our study provides the first evidence for this.”
Dr. Roongruedee Chaiteerakij, co-lead study author

However, the authors say further research is needed to determine whether the drug is safe and cost-effective for this purpose.

Processed meats do cause cancer – WHO

Processed meats – such as bacon, sausages and ham – do cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Its report said 50g of processed meat a day – less than two slices of bacon – increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%. Meanwhile, it said red meats were “probably carcinogenic” but there was limited evidence.

The WHO did stress that meat also had health benefits.

Cancer Research UK said this was a reason to cut down rather than give up red and processed meats.
And added that an occasional bacon sandwich would do little harm.

How bad?

The WHO has come to the conclusion on the advice of its International Agency for Research on Cancer, which assesses the best available scientific evidence.
It has now placed processed meat in the same category as plutonium, but also alcohol as they definitely do cause cancer.
However, this does not mean they are equally dangerous. A bacon sandwich is not as bad as smoking.
“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Dr Kurt Straif from the WHO said.




Estimates suggest 34,000 deaths from cancer every year could be down to diets high in processed meat.

That is in contrast to one million deaths from cancer caused by smoking and 600,000 attributed to alcohol each year.
Red meat does have nutritional value too and is a major source of iron, zinc and vitamin B12.
However, the WHO said there was limited evidence that 100g of red meat a day increased the risk of cancer by 17%.
An eight ounce steak is 225g.

The WHO said its findings were important for helping countries give balanced dietary advice.

Processed meats do cause cancer – WHO

Processed meats – such as bacon, sausages and ham – do cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Its report said 50g of processed meat a day – less than two slices of bacon – increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%. Meanwhile, it said red meats were “probably carcinogenic” but there was limited evidence.

The WHO did stress that meat also had health benefits.

Cancer Research UK said this was a reason to cut down rather than give up red and processed meats.
And added that an occasional bacon sandwich would do little harm.

How bad?

The WHO has come to the conclusion on the advice of its International Agency for Research on Cancer, which assesses the best available scientific evidence.
It has now placed processed meat in the same category as plutonium, but also alcohol as they definitely do cause cancer.
However, this does not mean they are equally dangerous. A bacon sandwich is not as bad as smoking.
“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Dr Kurt Straif from the WHO said.




Estimates suggest 34,000 deaths from cancer every year could be down to diets high in processed meat.

That is in contrast to one million deaths from cancer caused by smoking and 600,000 attributed to alcohol each year.
Red meat does have nutritional value too and is a major source of iron, zinc and vitamin B12.
However, the WHO said there was limited evidence that 100g of red meat a day increased the risk of cancer by 17%.
An eight ounce steak is 225g.

The WHO said its findings were important for helping countries give balanced dietary advice.

Creating Age Friendly Cancer

The World Health Organization’s ‘Age-Friendly World’ initiative deserves careful consideration in cancer care. Age-friendliness is an approach to restructuring our current communities to be suitable and even inviting to older people, especially those who are vulnerable as a result of frailty and changing abilities.

  • Age-friendly communities
  • Recognize the wide range of capacities and resources among older people;
  • Anticipate and respond flexibly to ageing-related needs and preferences;
  • Respect older people’s decisions and lifestyle choices;
  • Protect those who are most vulnerable; and
  • Promote older people’s inclusion in and contribution to all areas of community life.

Click HERE to read more on this.

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