14 DAY TRIAL // Millions of people use aspirin to reduce various types of pain every day. Studies conducted over the past few years have provided evidence that the drug may also prevent cancer, and experts are currently debating whether this positive correlation is strong enough.
Aspirin appears to be especially useful in preventing colorectal cancer, but may also reduce other types of tumors. The benefits and disadvantages of using aspirin in this role are currently being discussed at a popular Controversy session, held at the ESMO 2012 Congress, in Vienna, Austria.
While scientists agree that people who are at high risk of developing colorectal cancer should definitely use aspirin (but only when instructed to do so by physicians), their points of view differ when it comes to individuals who are not at immediate risk of developing this condition.
Regardless of the outcome this discussion will have, the issue is not likely to be settled anytime soon, EurekAlert reports. However, the debate will most likely be resolved as new data become available.