Aspirin, Cervical Cancer and HIV Positive Women

A recent study published in the current issue of Cancer Prevention Research journal suggests that aspirin should be given a closer look to find out how it could potentially prevent cervical cancer developing in women that are HIV positive.

Via

This news is especially important to women in the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa where the rate of death from cervical cancer is at at an even higher disproportionate rate than in the US. Haiti which is reported to have the highest rate of invasive cervical cancer and one of the highest HIV infection rates in the Western Hemisphere, is also one of the poorest nations in the world. News of aspirin possibly being used as a preventative measure bring new hope for these women.

Haitian women in the study were found to have elevated levels of COX-2 and PGE2. Linking HIV which causes chronic inflammation and PGE2, which is elevated during inflammation, to cancer development in several types of tumors including cervical cancer. Cyclooxgenase (COX) is found naturally in our body. COX-2 is needed in limited quantities to induce pain but when produced out of control will cause constant pain. One of the most inexpensive and effective inhibitors for COX is aspirin.

The lead researcher of the study Dr. Daniel Fitzgerald, said " these young patients, many of whom were mothers and the sole support for their families - had worked hard to have their HIV controlled with antiviral therapy, only to develop and die from cervical cancer". Researchers now want to look at exactly what population of women that may benefit from daily use of aspirin or related inhibitors.