Aspirin, other painkillers may not reduce colorectal cancer risk for everybody

Particular genetic variants might render drugs’ effect nil or negative

baby aspirin

RAISING RISK  Painkillers like this baby aspirin have been associated with reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, yet they can actually boost the risk in rare cases, a new study finds.

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Regular use of aspirin and NSAIDs —nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — seems to reduce colorectal cancer risk in population studies.