Journal of Cancer Research

Ethical Principles Relevant to the Use of Aspirin as a Treatment of Cancer

Abstract

Peter Elwood, Gareth Morgan, Ridhard Adams, Majd Protty, Simon Noble, John Watkins Marcus and Longley

There are four basic ethical principles in clinical practice: non-maleficence; beneficence; autonomy and justice. Evidence upon
which each of these is judged comes from appropriate research, but there are also personal opinions and claims – many of which
are supported by little, if any, research evidence. The evaluation of evidence is likely to be assessed differently by the different
operatives involved in any clinical issue: pharmacologists, pharmacists, clinicians, oncologists, research workers, patients and
their careers.
In the case of aspirin as a possible treatment of cancer, there are three possible beneficial outcomes to be considered: a reduction
in thromboembolism; a reduction in metastatic spread and a reduction in cancer mortality. The main risk is an increase in
gastrointestinal and cerebral bleeding associated with aspirin use. This paper attempts to summarise the evidence from research
on these risks and benefits.

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