Taking common tablet could reduce cancer risk

A MAJOR clinical trial has found that taking a small daily dose of aspirin can help people at high risk of bowel cancer from developing the disease.

- STAFF REPORTER

Singleton Hospital in Swansea recruited a total of 30 participants in the UK-wide CaPP3 trial (Colorectal Adenoma/Carcinoma Prevention Programme 3).

The trial recruited people with Lynch Syndrome, a rare condition that significantly increases the risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal, womb and ovarian cancer. One of those recruited was Swansea solicitor Helen Phillips.

Bowel Cancer UK estimates there are around 175,000 people in the UK with Lynch Syndrome.

The CaPP2 trial previously showed that a high, 600mg daily dose of aspirin cut the risk of bowel cancer for people with Lynch syndrome in half.

CaPP3 has now shown a much lower dose of just 75 to 100mg also substantially reduces their bowel cancer risk.

Lynch syndrome is known to run in families, but many people are unaware they have it until a family member is diagnosed with bowel cancer. At this point they and their family members may be offered genetic testing to confirm whether they have Lynch Syndrome.

Helen Phillips, 66, was a participant in the CaPP3 trial. She and several other members of her family were diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome after her niece sadly passed away from bowel cancer in 2014, aged just 26.