Aspirin can have ‘huge effect’ in stopping colorectal cancer returning, study finds

Martling said the results emphasised the need for genetic tests on cancers so patients who stood to benefit from aspirin could be given it. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

A daily dose of aspirin can substantially reduce the risk of some colorectal cancers returning after surgery, according to a major trial into the protective effects of the everyday painkiller.

Swedish researchers found that people who took a low daily dose of aspirin after having their tumour removed were half as likely to have their cancer return over the next three years than patients who took a placebo.