Is Aspirin Really a Colon Cancer Fix? (Not So Fast!)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 23, 2024
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Scientists discover a pill that might help prevent a serious disease.
Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast.
The latest “miracle cure” making headlines is none other than good old aspirin, which researchers now claim might help reduce colorectal cancer risk in people with unhealthy lifestyles.
But before you rush to stock up on those little white pills, let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on here.
Because frankly, this smells an awful lot like Big Pharma up to its old tricks again.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology found that taking aspirin could help reduce colorectal cancer risk in people who make unhealthy lifestyle choices.
The researchers looked at nearly 108,000 adults over 30 years and found that those folks who regularly took aspirin had a lower incidence of colorectal cancer. The link was especially obvious among those with the unhealthiest lifestyles.
Now, on the surface, this might sound like good news. After all, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with over 1.9 million new cases in 2020 alone.
And we know that unhealthy lifestyle factors like smoking, excessive alcohol use, lack of exercise, and poor diet can increase the risk.
But here’s the catch…
Instead of focusing on addressing these root causes, we’re being offered a pill as a solution.
Sound familiar? It’s the same old song and dance from Big Pharma: got a problem? Take a pill!
Let’s not forget that aspirin isn’t some harmless candy. (I’ve even talked about it here in Living Well Daily.) After all, it comes with a laundry list of potential side effects, especially with long-term use.
We’re talking about the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and even hemorrhagic stroke. And for seniors, who are already at higher risk for these complications, long-term aspirin use can be particularly dangerous.
Dr. Anton Bilchik, a surgical oncologist at Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute, points out that while aspirin could reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer, there’s a serious ongoing concern about its potential side effects, particularly gastritis and stomach bleeding.
So why are we pushing a potentially dangerous pill instead of addressing the real issue—the unhealthy lifestyle factors that increase cancer risk in the first place?
It’s simple: pills are profitable. Lifestyle changes? Not so much.
Think about it. What makes more money for pharmaceutical companies: selling millions of people a daily pill for the rest of their lives, or encouraging them to eat better, exercise more, and quit smoking?
The researchers say they’re trying to identify who is most likely to benefit from regular aspirin use. But shouldn’t we be focusing on helping people adopt healthier lifestyles instead?
The real key to reducing colorectal cancer risk is in the daily choices we make.
Want to slash your cancer risk? Try pushing yourself away from the table before that second helping. Lace up those sneakers and go for a walk instead of plopping down in front of the TV. Toss those cigarettes in the trash where they belong. And for Pete’s sake, eat a vegetable once in a while!
These simple changes might not be as easy as swallowing a pill, but they’re a whole lot more effective—and they come without the scary side effects.
These are the REAL keys to reducing colon cancer risk. Not a pill that might cause more problems than it solves.
So, the next time you see a headline touting a miracle pill, remember this: your health isn’t found in a bottle.
Don’t let Big Pharma convince you that the answer to an unhealthy lifestyle is another medication. The real cure is in your hands.
P.S. Colon cancer “Cover-Up” puts YOU at risk.
Source:
Sikavi DR, Wang K, Ma W, et al. Aspirin Use and Incidence of Colorectal Cancer According to Lifestyle Risk. JAMA Oncol. 2024;10(10):1354–1361. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.2503
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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