THE TELEGRAPH: Healthy people in their 40s should consider taking a low-dose of aspirin a day to prevent cancer, a leading expert has said.
Prof Peter Rothwell of Oxford University has found that taking the painkiller daily for five years can reduce the chance of developing colorectal cancer by a quarter and cut deaths from the disease by a third.
He said these results are the 'tip of the iceberg' and are likely to be an underestimate of its benefit in colorectal cancer prevention.
In addition he believes a similar effect is likely in other cancers such as breast, ovarian, womb, stomach and small bowel.
Prof Rothwell who is 46 said he and his wife both started taking low-dose aspirin themselves in order to reduce the chance of cancer several years ago and others in their 40s and 50s should consider it.
"The whole approach to aspirin is likely to change over the next few years. Currently people take it to prevent vascular events (such as heart attacks and stroke) but it is likely that in five years people will be taking it to prevent non-vascular diseases like cancer as well." >>> Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor | Friday, October 22, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Cancer is a modern man-made disease caused by the excesses of modern life, a new study suggests.
Researchers looking at almost a thousand mummies from ancient Egypt and South America found only a handful suffered from cancer when now it accounts for nearly one in three deaths.
The findings suggest that it is modern lifestyles and pollution levels caused by industry that are the main cause of the disease and that it is not a naturally occurring condition.
The study showed the disease rate has risen dramatically since the Industrial Revolution, in particular childhood cancer – proving that the rise is not simply due to people living longer. >>> Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent | Thursday, October 14, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: A hormone which is more plentiful in wealthier people has been linked to longer life.
DHEAS - or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate - is produced by the brain, adrenal glands and sexual organs and is a guide to life expectancy.
Researchers from University College London, working on the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, found evidence that biological ageing is slower among people with better socio-economic circumstances.
It found that the wealthier people were, the higher their levels of DHEAS.
The discovery raises the possibility that the hormone could be artificially produced and used to make people live longer.
The scientists also found that those with higher levels of it tended to do greater amounts of exercise, lead a more active life with lots of pastimes, and have more friends and family. >>> Andy Bloxham | Thursday, October 21, 2010
