Daily aspirin ‘can lower cancer risk’

New research led by scientists at Oxford University has indicated that taking a small dose of aspirin every day could substantially reduce a person's risk of cancer.

Published in the Lancet medical journal, the study tracked more than 25,000 patients and found that a daily aspirin cut overall deaths from cancer by at least one-fifth after five years.

With gastrointestinal cancers, deaths dropped by 54 percent among those who took the over-the-counter pill.

Aspirin has already been shown to reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke among those at increased risk, but the new research suggests its ability to protect against cancer should also be considered.

The findings led the Guardian to declare the pill, which has its origins in the late 19th century, as "the most extraordinary drug yet discovered".

However, other medical experts warned of the potential side effects of taking aspirin, such as an increased risk of internal bleeding.

Ed Yong, head of health information and evidence at Cancer Research UK, commented: "We encourage anyone interested in taking aspirin on a regular basis to talk to their GP first."