Cancer guidelines
Summary of cancer guidelines
May 2021
The purpose of this document is to keep a working list of international guidelines with information on aspirin and cancer prevention. The guidelines themselves should be read for further information.UK GUIDELINESPrimary prevention of colorectal cancer/all GI cancersUSA GUIDELINES
Primary prevention of colorectal cancer/all GI cancers
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) was created in 1984 and is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in preventative and evidence-based medicine. They use the following to grade their recommendations:
The USPSTF April 2016 recommends low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer in the following groups:
Grade B Adults age 50 to 59 years with a 10 year CVD risk of greater than 10% who are not at increased risk for bleeding, have a life expectancy of at least 10 years and are willing to take low-dose aspirin for at least 10 years.
Grade C Adults age 60 to 69 years with a 10 year CVD risk of greater than 10% should consider their individual risks versus benefits of long term low dose aspirin. Those who are not at risk of bleeding, have a life expectancy of at least 10 years and are willing to take low-dose aspirin for at least 10 years are more likely to benefit.
“Persons who place a higher value on the potential benefits than the potential harms may choose to initiate low-dose aspirin.”
The USPSTF state that there is insufficient current evidence to assess the balance of benefits versus harms of initiating aspirin for primary prevention of CVD and CRC in adults younger than 50 years or 70 years or older. (Grade I).
For more information see:
The USPSTF is currently commissioning an update to its guidance on aspirin and primary prevention. More information can be found at:
