The value of aspirin in the prevention of colorectal cancer

Aspirin has demonstrated its efficacy in the prevention of adverse events related to cardiovascular disease, and lots of epidemiological studies suggest that it also can be used to prevent colorectal cancer and to decrease its recurrence after curative resection. The guideline published by USPSTF recently first time affirms the overall health benefit of aspirin in colorectal cancer prevention. Aspirin could prevent the colorectal cancer by the cyclooxygenase-dependent mechanisms and the COX-independent mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize some results of related researches and discuss the possible mechanisms. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Aspirin; Prevention