While a recent study introduces a blood test for early colorectal cancer detection, experts emphasize that colonoscopies remain crucial for prevention and early detection. The shift from prevention to detection could increase cancer diagnoses and mortality. Blood tests should complement, not replace, colonoscopies as the gold standard of care.
Regular aspirin use has been found to enhance the body’s immune response against bowel cancer cells, potentially explaining its protective effects. Researchers discovered that aspirin increases levels of a protein on immune cells, allowing them to better detect and destroy cancer cells. The study also supports aspirin’s ability to reduce the spread of bowel cancer, particularly in rectal cancer where it boosts immune surveillance in healthy tissue.
