Over the years, many people have been prescribed aspirins to lower health risks like cardiovascular disease in men and women. Yet now, there are doctors recommending to take “aspirin therapy” to prevent heart attacks and colorectal cancer. Heart attacks are caused when a part of the heart muscle loses blood supply. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, occurs in rectum or colon. Through the United States Preventive Services, they recommend taking aspirin to prevent a form of cancer which tries to show an disregarded point that aspirin is a “weapon” to colorectal cancer.
Healthy individuals are concerned that the aspirin could affect other aspects of their health, including very severe side effects such as stomach bleeding and brain bleeds. However, there is a positive side to this medicine which is that is helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Aspirin really does help the heart muscle, about 40% of American adults over the age of 50, take aspirin medication to lower their cardiovascular disease risk (Department of Health and Human Services).
“A high-risk cardiovascular patient is defined as someone who has a 10 percent or greater risk of having a heart attack during the next 10 years, something that can be determined using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s online risk assessment tool.” A low dosage of aspirin does help prevent heart attacks and colorectal cancer targeting adults 50-69 who have high risks in these areas. Iit is not highly recommended for adults from 60-69 due to the dangerous bleeds that increases with age. Dr. Eric Jacobs, member of American Cancer Society, had said that there is evidence of aspirin to help lower the risk of esophageal cancer (cancer that that occurs in the esophagus, the long tube that runs from your throat to your stomach), and also some other common cancers such as breast, prostate and lung cancer. This new approach is starting to make sense, as said by Dr. Jacobs, and this will help to lower cancer and heart risks for the current and future generations.