An Inexpensive And Common Drug May Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer From Coming Back

The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the fourth in women. However, when their numbers are combined, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer. Overall, about one in 24 men and one in 26 women are at risk for this particular type of cancer. (Read what you can do to decrease your risk of colorectal cancer.) However, the American Cancer Society also notes that the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 80%. 

Beyond the high survival rate, there is more hopeful news for colon cancer survivors. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a 2025 study found that taking aspirin daily cut the risk of recurrence by 55% over a three-year period. Survivors who took aspirin had just a 7.7% chance of their cancer returning. Meanwhile, participants in the study's placebo group faced a 14.8% to 16.8% risk of their cancer coming back in the same time frame. 

According to City of Hope, one of the reasons aspirin may be effective against cancer returning is its ability to target inflammation. When inflammation lingers for a long time, the DNA in cells can become damaged. In some cases, this can raise the risk of certain conditions, including cancer. Although not everyone who suffers from inflammation will develop cancer or other serious illnesses, the risk does rise.

A 2012 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that people with a mutation in the PIK3CA gene who took aspirin regularly after diagnosis had a much lower risk of their cancer returning and a higher overall survival rate. PIK3CA is a gene that helps regulate cell growth. When it mutates, it can push cells to grow uncontrollably, fueling cancer development. These mutations are found in many cancers, including about 10% to 20% of colorectal cancers. 

Taking an aspirin every day may help to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke (via the Mayo Clinic). This is because aspirin has the ability to thin the blood and prevent clotting. Because of this, it's possible that low doses of aspirin — anywhere from 75 to 100 milligrams daily — may be effective in preventing conditions caused by clotting (e.g., strokes, heart attacks). However, before considering daily aspirin therapy, it's important to consult your physician first and not do anything without his or her advice.

There is also some research that suggests that aspirin may play a role in protecting the brain. According to a 2021 review published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, researchers found that in cohort studies, daily low doses (in the range of 75 to 100 milligrams) of aspirin was linked to a lower likelihood of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment. However, in randomized controlled trials, aspirin use did not show a significant protective effect, so more research is needed.