Using aspirin to prevent cancer

Speaker bio:

Dr Kelly Lloyd is a Research Fellow working in the area of behavioural oncology research at the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences. Her PhD focused on decision-making on aspirin for colorectal cancer prevention among people with Lynch syndrome and the general public, and the decision to prescribe or recommend aspirin among healthcare professionals. She is currently undertaking an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship to develop additional behavioural cancer preventive approaches for people at higher genetic risk of cancer. Dr Lloyd is also a strong advocate for open research practices, and a member of the Open Research Advisory Group for the University.

Abstract:

Aspirin is increasingly recommended for cancer preventive therapy. In the UK, aspirin is recommended to prevent colorectal cancer in people with Lynch syndrome, who are at higher genetic risk of cancer. Future UK guidance may recommend aspirin for those at population risk, similar to Australian guidance. We carried out a programme of work to investigate the barriers and facilitators affecting use of aspirin for cancer preventive therapy among people with Lynch syndrome and the UK public. We also investigated the barriers to healthcare providers recommending and prescribing aspirin. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the views of people with Lynch syndrome, healthcare providers, and the UK public. After which, we conducted a factorial trial to investigate the optimal type and level of information to communicate with GPs to increase their willingness to prescribe aspirin for a patient with Lynch syndrome. Overall, we found that coordinated and multilevel strategies are warranted, addressing the needs of people with Lynch syndrome, the UK public, and GPs.