Critical appraisal:Cook NR, Lee IM, Gaziano JM, Gordon D, Ridker PM, Manson JE, et al 2005 2
- Article
- Cook NR, Lee IM, Gaziano JM, Gordon D, Ridker PM, Manson JE, et al. Low-dose aspirin in the primary prevention of cancer: the Women's Health Study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2005 Jul 6;294(1):47-55 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15998890.
- Assigned to
- User:Krishna.sriram
- Topic area
- Guidelines:Lung cancer/Prevention and diagnosis
- Clinical question
- Study design
- randomised controlled trial
- Level of Evidence
- II
Section below only relevant for Cancer Council Project Officer
Critical Appraisal
Cook NR, Lee IM, Gaziano JM, Gordon D, Ridker PM, Manson JE, et al. Low-dose aspirin in the primary prevention of cancer: the Women's Health Study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2005 Jul 6;294(1):47-55 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15998890.
Key Facts
randomised controlled trial
To examine the effect of aspirin on the risk of cancer incidence and cancer specific mortality among healthy women.
39876
Primary outcome: Confirmed newly diagnosed invasive cancer at any site, except for nonmelanoma skin cancer.
Secondary outcomes: Incidence of breast, colorectal, and lung cancer.
a. No effect of aspirin was observed on total cancer (n=2865; relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.08; P=.87), breast cancer (n=1230; RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.87-1.09; P=.68), colorectal cancer (n=269; RR,0.97; 95% CI, 0.77-1.24; P=.83).
b. Lung cancer incidence: trend toward reduction in risk (n=205; RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.59-1.03; P=.08).
c. No reduction in cancer mortality overall (n=583; RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81-1.11; P=.51).
d. Lung cancer mortality (n=140; RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.99; P=.04).
e. No evidence of differential effects of aspirin by follow-up time or interaction with vitamin E was
found.
Only 1 other randomized trial of aspirin has examined the impact on cancer incidence. In this study lung cancer deaths were reduced by 36%, an observation that was deemed unanticipated and likely due to data fluctuations.
The Physicians Health Study has unpublished data on lung cancer deaths, which were based on small numbers, were compatible with those found in the WHS and the British trial. In the PHS, there was a nonsignificant 22% reduction in lung cancer mortality in the active aspirin group during the trial period (14 vs 18, P=.48; J. M. Gaziano, written communication, 2005). There was also a 13% reduction in lung cancer incidence (25vs 29, P=.61), with no reduction in total cancer incidence or mortality.
Observational evidence for an effect of aspirin on lung cancer has been mixed.
Thus, although results from the British trial,the PHS, and the WHS are compatible with a reduction in risk of
lung cancer, particularly lung cancer mortality, evidence for such an effect remains uncertain and may simply reflect the play of chance.
no
Evidence ratings
II
Low risk of bias | Comments: |
2 | Reason for decision: Lung cancer incidence and mortality were secondary outcomes. |
Results of study are probably due to chance rather a real protective effect of aspirin on lung cancer incidence and mortality.