Background:

A recent comprehensive review concluded that additional research is needed to determine the optimal use of aspirin for cancer prevention.

Objective:

To assess associations between the use of low-dose aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colorectal cancer risk.

Design:

Population-based, case–control study.

Setting:

Northern Denmark.

Patients:

Patients with first-time colorectal cancer in northern Denmark between 1994 and 2011. Population control participants were selected by risk set sampling.

Measurements:

Data on drug use, comorbid conditions, and history of colonoscopy were obtained from prescription and patient registries. Use of low-dose aspirin (75 to 150 mg) and nonaspirin NSAIDs was defined according to type, estimated dose, duration, and consistency of use.

Results:

Among 10 280 case patients and 102 800 control participants, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for colorectal cancer associated with ever use (≥2 prescriptions) of low-dose aspirin and nonaspirin NSAIDs were 1.03 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.09) and 0.94 (CI, 0.90 to 0.98), respectively. Continuous long-term use (≥5 years) of low-dose aspirin was associated with a 27% reduction in colorectal cancer risk (OR, 0.73 [CI, 0.54 to 0.99]), whereas the overall OR for cumulative long-term use (continuous or noncontinuous) was close to unity. Nonaspirin NSAID use was associated with a substantial reduction in colorectal cancer risk, particularly for long-term, high-intensity use (average defined daily dose ≥0.3) of agents with high cyclooxygenase-2 selectivity (OR, 0.57 [CI, 0.44 to 0.74]).

Limitations:

Data were unavailable on over-the-counter purchases of high-dose aspirin and low-dose ibuprofen or NSAID dosing schedules, there were several comparisons, and the authors were unable to adjust for confounding by some risk factors.

Conclusion:

Long-term, continuous use of low-dose aspirin and long-term use of nonaspirin NSAIDs were associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk. Persons who continuously used low-dose aspirin comprised only a small proportion of the low-dose aspirin users.

Primary Funding Source:

Danish Cancer Society, Aarhus University Research Foundation.