Hong Kong experts cautious about British aspirin cancer claims

A British study that recommends people aged 50 to 65 take an aspirin a day to protect themselves from cancer has been greeted cautiously in Hong Kong.

The Department of Health said it was aware of the findings and that aspirin would be taken into consideration for cancer prevention. But a spokesman warned that every medicine had potential side effects.

"Before taking any medicine, including aspirin, the public is advised to consult primary care doctors about the proper usage, and pros and cons of the medication," he said.

Aspirin is traditionally used as a pain killer but can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and stomach bleeding if taken regularly.

The study suggested that more than 130,000 deaths would be avoided over a 20-year period if Britain's 50- to 64-year-olds took a low-dosage daily aspirin for 10 years, because the beneficial effects continue even when the aspirin is stopped, the authors say.

However, people would need to take aspirin for at least five years, and probably 10, to obtain the benefits, the study said.

The president of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists, William Chui Chun-ming, described the study as "good news" if cheap and readily available aspirins could also be used to prevent disease.