Add aspirin trials

Hi,

I feel as if I'm on that trial already.

Last November, I finished my Radiotherapy.  Exactly two weeks after, I had a heart attack which meant that I was started on a daily dose of asprin which will continue for the rest of my life.  So, even though it wasn't intentional, I am on my own trial.

The good news is that whatever happens, my PSA seems to be heading in the right direction, from 4.1 before RT to 0.040 now.  I'm happy with that.  Just need the heart to be properly sorted.

Steve

Edited by member 27 Sep 2015 at 16:38  | Reason: Not specified

that was almost certainy a predictive text error on Kev's device... daily aspirin tanscribed to baby adaption .. a bit like cancer cells mutating ! I have to say it is one of the reasons I switch off the "aid" on my tablet! It did make me smile on a sunny Sunday morning though.

A daiy dose of aspirin has been used in treating heart disease and stroke patients or those at risk of heart disease for many years now. It is thought to work by slightly thinning the blood.

In the cancer research field there has been some evidence to show that less sticky blood makes it more difficult for cancer cells to adhere to blood vessel walls. This may reduce their ability to invade the vascular system and therefore gain a free transport system to take them to the next destination (Mets or lymph node invasion). Given time the little horrors can actually build their own blood vessels so that theory may not hold good forever.

Also aspirin contains a basic natural ingredient (willow bark or meadowsweet) that is slightly toxic so it might help to kill off cancerous cells that have recently had their DNA messed up by RT. A kind of mini and less side effect strewn chemo.??

It is such a cheap drug so there is not much to lose trialling it and a lot to be gained if it works.

As a word of caution anyone with a history of bleeding disorders, ulcers, or already on drugs like warfarin do not start taking aspirin without consulting your medical practitioner.

The EN2 test you mentioned has been on the cards for quite a while but the initial study was done on such a small number of patients out of Surrey University. So it had to be tested on a much wider audience, It is proably going to be used to augment the PSA test not replace it. The PSA test will still indicate the possible presence of prostate cancer, the EN2 test is aiming to confirm the presence and possibly the size of a tumour (the higher the EN2 the bigger the tumour I guess) reading between the lines I think the EN2 test could also be used for detection of other cancers.

I think that will give GPs and other clinicians a better tool to treat (or not as the case may be) low grade very slow growing PCa. without the need for biopsies, scans etc. For patients they are not sure about or those who clearly have a much bigger problem all the traditional tests would still need to be done.

That leaves a bit of a problem possibly for many men, who knowing they have cancer no matter how small or currently inactive, just want rid of it out of their body right here and right now.

It is all positive steps forward though which is great news.

best wishes as always

xx

Mo

I have nearly finished my RT (ends on 5th Nov) and have been approached to take part in the Add Asprin trials with the initial period of 8 weeks actually taking Asprin to see my tolerance levels. This will start straight after me RT ends next week.

My view is that even if I end up taking the placebo tablet it will be for the good of future PCa patients.

There is a 2 in 1 chance of being on Asprin anyway so that's better than evens odds. If there are any signs of cancer reoccurring it will be treated as it would if I was not on the trials, so I will not have lost anything by taking part. If at anytime I do not want to continue the trial I can just let them know and stop straight away.

Neither my doctor or myself will know what tablet I will be taking but should an emergency occur, my doctor will be able to find out which one I am on.

There will be initial blood tests and this will be followed up every three months for the first year then six monthly thereafter, they will also need a sample of my cancer (already taken from biopsies) for them to keep and run tests on.

It will be for a minimum term of 5 years but may go on for longer. I told the organisers that it would be good to give something back after getting so much up to date treatment that was probably pioneered by others.

I have not signed up fo it yet and if anyone on the forum thinks there are any reasons for not undergoing the trialit would be good to see your views

Let's have your views please.

Cheers Chris/Woody

Life seems different upside down, take another viewpoint

Edited by member 27 Oct 2015 at 20:00  | Reason: Not specified

Look out for the Aspirins labelled 'enteric coated' , the idea being they dissolve in the gut rather than the stomach where they can cause irritation. I've just started taking 75mg enteric coated aspirin a day, it's cheap and there seems to be enough evidence to convince me of the value of doing this regarding cancer and cardiac problems. I'm pretty healthy anyway as far as I know,  but any preventative measure has to be worth a try !

Fiona.