New trial to find out whether aspirin fights cancer

A new trial launches today, which aims to answer once and for all whether or not a daily dose of aspirin can help prevent some cancers from coming back. Some previous studies have suggested it might, but the evidence has not been conclusive. Doctors need clear proof that it is a safe and effective treatment before prescribing it for their patients. Aspirin was developed as a painkiller, and it is also known to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks in some patients. Some researchers think it may also stop some cancers returning by making it more difficult for secondary cancers to develop and spread. The trial, called Add-Aspirin, is being run by the MRC Clinical Trials Centre at UCL in collaboration with Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health Research. Professor Ruth Langley, chief investigator from the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, said: "There's been some interesting research suggesting that aspirin could delay or stop early stage cancers coming back, but there's been no randomised trial to give clear proof.