"Taking one or two baby aspirins a day for at least five years was tied to a lower risk of colorectal cancer in a study from Denmark.  Bayer brand aspirin is seen on display at the Safeway store in Wheaton Maryland February  . REUTERSGary Cameron  Earlier studies had suggested that aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may help protect against colorectal cancer but it wasnt clear how much had to be taken and for how long to achieve those benefits.  Now using data on more than  individuals researchers have been trying to sort out the relationship between aspirin and NSAIDs duration of treatment and colorectal cancer rates.  In general the risk of developing colorectal cancer varies with age race ethnicity and lifestyle. More than  percent of cases are diagnosed in people older than  according to the National Cancer Institute.  An online risk calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention available here .usa.govDlscTL http.usa.govDlscTL indicates that in the U.S. for an average white or black woman in her late fifties the year risk of developing colorectal cancer is between  and . percent and her lifetime risk is between  and . percent. For an average black or white male of the same age the corresponding risks would be about . percent and . percent.  In the new study from Denmark taking lowdose aspirin continuously for at least five years appeared to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by  and using nonaspirin NSAIDs for at least five years appeared to reduce it by .  On the other hand merely having taken aspirin did not alter the colorectal cancer risk they reported in Annals of Internal Medicine.  Sponsored Unless lowdose aspirin is taken continuously there is little protection against colorectal cancer Dr. Soren Friis from the Danish Cancer Society Research Center in Copenhagen told Reuters Health.  Nonaspirin NSAIDs were also protective against colorectal cancer with consistent longterm use and there was some indication that even noncontinuous use of these agents may be marginally effective for the prevention of colorectal cancer Dr. Friis said.  Aspirin and NSAIDs carry their own risks however. Longterm use can cause gastrointestinal bleeding for example so the potential reduction in colon cancer risk needs to be balanced against potential side effects the authors warn.  The study had several limitations. For instance the researchers only had data for users who obtained their aspirin or NSAIDs from doctors prescriptions. They didnt include patients who made overthecounter purchases of the medicines. Also the researchers cant rule out the possibility that other factors may have increased participants risk for colorectal cancer such as obesity dietary habits alcohol use and family history of colorectal cancer.  Dr. Friis emphasized that people should not start taking aspirin or NSAIDs on the basis of the new findings.  Selfmedication with aspirin or nonaspirin NSAIDs is strongly discouraged due to the possibility of serious adverse events Dr. Friis said. The public should not take any medication regularly without consulting with a physician.  Dr. Gurpreet Singh Ranger from Upper River Valley Hospital Waterville New Brunswick and Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada agreed with Dr. Friis.  Low dose aspirin already taken regularly by millions reduces the risk of colorectal cancer he told Reuters Health by email. But before starting to take aspirin long term it is important to discuss the implications with your family doctor or specialist.  SOURCE bit.lyilF httpbit.lyilF Annals of Internal Medicine online August  ."