By David Liu, PHD

Tuesday Nov 6, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Peter M. Rothwell from John Radcliffe Hospital in UK published an article in Cancer Research saying that evidence from trials shows taking aspirin daily can reduce risk of colorectal cancer and death from the disease substantially.

Specifically, daily aspirin reduces the risk of any recurrent colorectal adenoma by 17 percent and advanced adenoma by 28 percent.  

The reduction in the risks was more significant in those who used aspirin for a long term.  Those who took daily aspirin for about 5 years reduced their risk of developing colorectal cancer and death from the disease by 30 to 40 percent during a 20-year follow-up.  Aspirin also reduced risk of all cause cancer death by 20 percent.

However, aspirin can cause adverse effects including major bleeding.

Aspirin is not the only chemopreventive agent that men and women may use to reduce risk of colorectal cancer.  A healthy diet consisting of high intake of dietary fiber from grains and vegetables and low intake of meat and dairy products can reduce the risk as well without any side effect.