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Events / Aspirin Increases Cancer Mortality in Elderly
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Aspirin Increases Cancer Mortality in Elderly

Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Jan 29, 2026 · Last updated Feb 19, 2026

Sentiment
0
Attention
2
Articles
7
Market Impact
Direct
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Market Impact

The findings from the ASPREE study indicate that low-dose Aspirin does not offer cancer prevention benefits for older adults and may increase cancer mortality risk, which could negatively impact the market for Aspirin as a preventative measure in this demographic. Pharmaceutical companies may need to adjust their marketing and research strategies for Aspirin, focusing on other indications or younger populations.

Pharmaceuticals Healthcare
Event Summary

Long-term data from the ASPREE trial, including the ASPREE-XT extension study, revealed that low-dose Aspirin does not reduce cancer incidence and significantly increases the risk for cancer-related death in adults aged 70 years or older. This contradicts previous findings in middle-aged populations and suggests that the protective benefits of Aspirin do not translate to older adults. The study, led by Suzanne G. Orchard of Monash University and published in JAMA Oncology, involved 19,114 participants and had a median follow-up of 8.6 years. The increased mortality risk was primarily observed during the randomized treatment period. Experts like H. Gilbert Welch have stated that Aspirin for primary prevention in the elderly is 'done'. The findings reinforce the 2022 US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation against initiating Aspirin for primary prevention in adults aged 60 years or older, urging individualized decisions based on a healthcare provider's assessment of cardiovascular benefits versus bleeding and other risks.

Key Actions
100 Aspirin did not reduce cancer incidence and increased cancer mortality risk in older adults
80 Suzanne G. Orchard led the ASPREE-XT study and authored the JAMA Oncology publication
30 United States===National Institute on Aging provided funding for ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies
30 United States===National Cancer Institute provided funding for ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies
30 Australia===National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia provided funding for ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies
20 Bayer provided study drug for ASPREE trial
Entities Involved
cmdt
Aspirin
The ASPREE study found that low-dose Aspirin did not reduce cancer incidence among older adults and significantly increased the risk for cancer mortality. This suggests that the protective benefits of Aspirin seen in younger populations do not translate to adults older than 70 years.
Importance 100 Sentiment -20
per
Suzanne G. Orchard
Suzanne G. Orchard, PhD, is an associate professor and senior research fellow at Monash University and director of the ASPREE Extension study (ASPREE-XT). She is the lead author of the study published in JAMA Oncology and provided key insights into the findings.
Importance 80 Sentiment 10
per
H. Gilbert Welch
H. Gilbert Welch, MD, from the Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women s Hospital, provided commentary on the ASPREE findings, stating that Aspirin for primary prevention in the elderly is 'done'.
Importance 40 Sentiment 0
govactor
United States===National Institute on Aging
The United States===National Institute on Aging provided funding for the ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies, supporting critical research into the effects of Aspirin in older adults.
Importance 30 Sentiment 0
govactor
United States===National Cancer Institute
The United States===National Cancer Institute provided funding for the ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies, contributing to the research on Aspirin's impact on cancer.
Importance 30 Sentiment 0
govactor
United States===National Institutes of Health
The United States===National Institutes of Health, through its constituent institutes, provided funding for the ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies.
Importance 30 Sentiment 0
govactor
Australia===National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
The Australia===National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia provided funding for the ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies, supporting the research conducted in Australia.
Importance 30 Sentiment 0
+ 6 more entities View on Dashboard
Relationships
United States===National Institute on Aging related ↔ United States===National Institutes of Health
United States===National Cancer Institute related ↔ United States===National Institutes of Health
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