Mixed effects of NSAIDs in long term use

Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, say scientists at Harvard. However, they point out that the benefits do not begin to show until the drugs have been used for up to a decade, and such long-term use can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. In results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dr Andrew Chan and colleague say long-term use of aspirin or NSAIDs reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 53 per cent. The reduction depends on the dose and the duration of use.

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