Adding Aspirin

Hi peterawake

Yes, the Add Aspirin trial has been going on for some time now and certainly we have had people here who were on it (I've been here since 2016 so may have been a while ago)

Yes, it is a trial looking at whether aspirin has an effect on recurrence.

As your consultant said, it's an OTC medicine but I'm sure he also mentioned it has severe side-effects when taken long term - particularly any aspirin that is not coated to pass through the stomach as it causes issues there. It also causes blood thinning. The people on the trial are being monitored, but if you took it without supervision, you wouldn't be, so I doubt anyone is taking it outside of the trial - also, there's nothing proven, it might turn out to have no effect.

You could always ask in Ask a Nurse - they can give you the professional information.

Perhaps someone on the trial will be along soon

R

I've been taking low dose asprin  for about 10 years as my mother & her sister both died of bowel cancer .  I buy over the counter .  It's 74mg tablet .  I stopped before surgery for a few week just in case .  I gave it to my hubby before long flight - started a week before .  It triggered his asthma.  Not badly but enough of a wheeze to stop.  He's never taken since .  He's ok taking ibrufen but asprin definitely brought on tight chest. 

Thank you for your reply, I'm going to give it a try,  I can always stop it if I have side effects.  It has been studied by the National Cancer Institute in the US and has been found to boost survival in breast and bladder cancer. The findings have been published in JAMA Network Open. My hubby has been on it for several years to try and prevent strokes as he has had TIA's, he isn't monitored even though he was prescribed it by a Hospital Consultant and GP Practice still keep issuing them, he does bruise easily though. 

there are studies around bowel cancer prevention fir over 50s taking low dose daily.   What dose are you thinking of taking?  I think OTC is only 75mg.  I have no side effects.

I'm going to take the 75mg. Hopefully, I will have no side effects. 

Get the  gastric friendly ones if there is an issue. Taking it at least 3 times weekly is meant to help.  The trial is looking at differences doses,  so from what I remember there were 3 different low doses and a placebo.