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Meta-Analysis
. 2018 Mar 13;18(1):288.
doi: 10.1186/s12885-018-4156-5.

Associations between aspirin use and the risk of cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Yan Qiao  1 , Tingting Yang  2 , Yong Gan  1 , Wenzhen Li  1 , Chao Wang  1 , Yanhong Gong  3 , Zuxun Lu  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Associations between aspirin use and the risk of cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Yan Qiao et al. BMC Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies have clarified the potential associations between regular aspirin use and cancers. However, it remains controversial on whether aspirin use decreases the risk of cancers risks. Therefore, we conducted an updated meta-analysis to assess the associations between aspirin use and cancers.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched up to March 2017 to identify relevant studies. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations.

Results: A total of 218 studies with 309 reports were eligible for this meta-analysis. Aspirin use was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of overall cancer (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.87-0.91), and gastric (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.65-0.86), esophageal (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62-0.89), colorectal (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.74-0.85), pancreatic (RR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.93), ovarian (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83-0.95), endometrial (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85-0.99), breast (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88-0.96), and prostate (RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90-0.99) cancers, as well as small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (RR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05-0.58).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that aspirin use is associated with a reduced risk of gastric, esophageal, colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, endometrial, breast, and prostate cancers, and small intestine neuroendocrine tumors.

Keywords: Aspirin; Cancers; Meta-analysis; Observational studies.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of study selection
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of gastric cancer
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of esophagus cancer
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of colorectal cancer
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of hepato-biliary cancer
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of pancreatic cancer
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of lung cancer
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of breast cancer
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of ovarian cancer
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of endometrial cancer
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of prostate cancer
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of renal cancer
Fig. 13
Fig. 13
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of bladder cancer
Fig. 14
Fig. 14
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of brain tumors
Fig. 15
Fig. 15
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of head and neck cancers
Fig. 16
Fig. 16
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of skin cancer
Fig. 17
Fig. 17
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of lymphoma
Fig. 18
Fig. 18
Forest plot of aspirin use and the risk of leukemia
Fig. 19
Fig. 19
Funnel plot of aspirin use and cancer
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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