In men who’ve undergone treatment for localized prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, aspirin use is associated with reduced prostate cancer mortality, researchers report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Nearly 6000 men treated for localized prostate cancer were identified from a U.S. cancer registry. About one third took anticoagulants (aspirin, clopidogrel, enoxaparin, or warfarin) at some point during roughly 6 years’ follow-up, with aspirin being most commonly used.

Overall, prostate cancer mortality was significantly lower among anticoagulant users than nonusers (actuarial 10-year risk estimate, 3% vs. 8%). Patients with high-risk disease derived the greatest benefit. In subanalyses according to anticoagulant type, a significant risk reduction was seen only with aspirin (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.43).

The researchers note that coagulation plays a role in metastasis. They hypothesize, then, that aspirin’s effects on platelet aggregation may offer protection against metastasis.

Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology