Aspirin Helpful for Prostate PSA Levels

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels are lower in men who take aspirin, according to findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Seventh Annual Conference. Men who take aspirin have lower levels of PSA, especially men with prostate cancer who take aspirin.

Aspirin, PSA and Prostate Cancer

Prostate specific antigen is one of the most commonly used markers for prostate cancer. Basically, the higher the level of PSA in the blood, the more likely it is that cancer is present in the prostate (though high PSA numbers can also indicate other non-cancerous problems with the prostrate gland).

In examining 1,277 men, researchers found that 37% took aspirin daily. In the aspirin takers, the average PSA level was 9 percent lower than in the non-aspirin takers (after considering age, race and other factors). The effect was grater in men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Researchers believe that the aspirin has some effect on cancer growth.

Of course, the aspirin may be suppressing the PSA levels but not changing the growth of prostate cancer. In other words, the aspirin could be hindering the ability to detect prostate cancer. What is known is that taking aspirin reduces the PSA level, but whether that means less growth of cancer or a masking effect remains to be seen.

Must Read: Prostate Cancer and Life Expectancy