common and relatively safe drugs reduce breast cancer mortality

Just before I went on this site I was researching aspirin beneifts for breast cancer there has been some reseach as for back as the seventy's. I plan to ask my MO the next time I see her and may try it anyway. I am sure the pharmaceutiucal's would never want this to be true and they would lose billions. The genertic drug I take is still $450.00 cash price.

Actually, there have been numerous studies & trials on metformin & aspirin.

Aspirin/NSAIDs and statins also have anti-inflammatory properties that may inhibit the ability of mutant cells to gain a foothold by creating an 'unfriendly' environment. Prevention is certainly less expensive than treatment! We must devote funds to research (not just "awareness" campaigns). This paper looks a number of studies in terms of recurrence and survival. From the conclusion:

We estimate that, if aspirin is effective, using it to treat all patients with breast cancer in the US could potentially save 10,000 lives per year. In addition, if one considers the possible benefit in the developing world of an inexpensive, widely available medicine, the impact is truly staggering; an estimated 75,000 lives would potentially be saved each year.

In an era in which we struggle to contain health-care costs, the extra costs for patients with breast cancer in the US would be minimal. For developing countries, it could mean the difference between some adjuvant treatment and none. Whereas new cancer treatments typically benefit only patients in wealthy countries because of the costs, these drugs would be a breast cancer treatment available to every part of the world. The results of these trials could be truly transformative and change the treatment of breast cancer across the globe with what millions of people already have in their medicine cabinet.

Given the overwhelming weight of the biologic and observational data, randomized trials are the definitive way to assess the risk-benefit balance for breast cancer survivors. One such trial is under way for metformin. A similar trial for aspirin is definitely warranted, and possibly one for statins. We estimate that a trial of aspirin would require approximately 3,000 women with stage II or III breast cancer randomly assigned 1:1 and followed for 5 years and cost approximately $15 million USD. However, because these drugs are generic and widely available, there is little industry incentive to support such studies. We propose that the cost is small given the potential benefit. Who will fill this need?

Agreed. 5 years is a lifetime in some cases. On the plus side, some family physicians will prescribe them. Thank gawd for those doctors.

JohnSmith I take 81 mg of aspirin daily but started more for heart prevention rather than cancer benefits but heck, a twofer is even better.

Amy

I take all 3 mentioned in the article--aspirin, statin and Metformin. The Metformin study was suggested for me, but I decided to get it myself to avoid placebo. My primary onc suggested "if your primary care sees fit..." get on simvastatin. The onc I go to for tumor markers etc. said to get on aspirin

I didn't read the links (mostly because I didn't want to read anymore about it since making up my mind), so I'm not sure any of the research mentions progesterone positive cancer. That is the type of bc I think statins are beneficial for. I'll try and go through my papers and find the research, but I do remember reading progesterone is synthesized from cholesterol. I'm sure it was more complicated, but I just cant remember all the details at the moment. I do remember deciding though, that since I'm pr+, a statin would be beneficial and if I had not been, there wouldn't be a reason to take it.

I take all 3 as well - statin, aspirin and Metformin.  I was Stage 3 Her2 positive and had to quit Herceptin after 3 months because of a heart attack from AC chemo and valve damage from Herceptin (never had any heart issues prior).  I had a huge tumor, lots of lymph nodes and I needed to try anything and everything in my book.  My Onc was all for it.  I talked my general practitioner into giving me Metformin after showing her the studies.   I've not had any problems with it.

I was already under a Cardiologist's care because of heart issues during chemo/Herceptin.  So the aspirin and statin were easy.  I told my Onc, I'm not sure if they work, but for me, there is definitely a placebo effect. 

One of the reasons I begged my GP to put me on Metformin, was the info in the attached article.  I had personal contact with this gentleman through a physician friend:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/cancer-drugs-trial-for-when-standard-treatment-is-not-viable-shows-incredible-signs-of-success-9804279.html

I take asprin, metformin and have a prescription for a statin but still deciding on it.

If a breast tumor is cox-1 positive, asprin can help block that pathway.

If a breast tumor has PIK3 gene mutation, asprin can help with this.

If a breast tumor is IGF-1 positive, Metformin can help block that pathway.

Leggo, I'm interested in what you said about statins and being progesterone positive. Do you have an article on this that you can provide?

peacestrength, here's one of the articles I read that made me think getting rid of/converting my progesterone with a statin was a good idea. I can't find the other one about progesterone levels making a difference. I'll have to search Google some more to see if I can find it.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC403890...!po=9.45946

While I was searching though, I came across several articles that said statins were mostly effective on er/pr- cells, so I guess I'm back to square one and confused again. Also in a serious quandry because I honestly think the statin has played a hand in keeping me stable. What to do?.....ugh.

leggo - the articles you mention about er/pr- is what confused me too.....

Also, the most recent articles suggest that the statins are slightly more effective for breast and prostate when combined with Metformin. At least the Metformin is generally benign. One good thing, I guess.

I too was on 2 baby aspirin per day for years before developing early stage breast cancer.  I am interested in the future results of the Metformin study and have read through that thread on the boards. 

leggo - I sadly agree. After reading 'Emperor of All Maladies' - the politics and control of the tobacco industry, lack of support by ACS that smoking was a health hazard - frankly it disgusted me but I was not surprised either.