Non-addictive aspirin can treat cancer pain as effectively as morphine, a study by scientists from the University of Sydney (Australia) showed. The results of the team’s work are as follows: published news portal Daily Mail.
Doctors often prescribe powerful opioids, such as morphine, to cancer patients to help combat the persistent pain that many patients experience from tumors. However, they are addictive and also negatively affect the immune system, which is important to maintain in cancer treatment.
Researchers examined data from more than 150 clinical cases of opioid use to treat cancer symptoms. The new study shows that weaker, non-addictive drugs such as aspirin, antidepressants and low-strength opioids may be just as effective in treating these symptoms and cause fewer side effects. The authors also concluded that strong opioids may actually negatively impact the body’s ability to fight cancer.
At the same time, scientists have emphasized that opioids are indispensable for persistent pain and stress at the end of life, when there are no other options.
Previous scientists I learnedHow cancer tumors affect surrounding tissues.