Taking two or more standard-dose (325 milligram) pills of aspirin a week was associated with a 49 percent lower risk of liver cancer. Regular intake of aspirin led to significantly lower risk of developing liver cancer compared to infrequent or no aspirin use. The risk declined progressively with increasing aspirin dose and duration of use.
Researchers analyzed long-term data from more than 45,800 women and 87,500 men in the United States. Aspirin’s protective effect increased over time, risk of liver cancer was 59 percent lower among those who took aspirin regularly for five years or more. The risk reduction declined after people stopped taking aspirin.
Regular use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) was not linked to reduced risk of liver cancer. Liver cancer is relatively rare, but it has increased in the United States over the past 40 years. Also, liver cancer death rates have risen faster than those of any other cancer, the researchers noted. Aspirin use is recommended for prevention of heart disease and colorectal cancer.