VOA慢速英语:Aspirin May Cut Cancer Deaths

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a popular expression in the United States.
“一日一苹果，医生远离我”是美国很有名的一句话。

It may be a common saying, but it is not scientifically confirmed.However, a new study adds to evidence that suggests taking a small amount of aspirin can help to keep the doctor away.
这句俗语流传甚广，但未经科学证实。然而最新的一项研究显示，服用少量的阿司匹林真的可能使你远离医生。

Researchers have known for some time that a small daily dose of aspirin can be good for your health. Aspirin can lessen the risk of developing heart disease and even colon cancer.
研究人员很久之前就已知晓服用少剂量的阿司匹林对健康有好处。阿司匹林可以减少心脏病甚至结肠癌的发病率。

New findings suggest the painkiller may also increase survival in cancer patients by up to 20 percent.That is, if those patients are receiving chemotherapy as a cancer treatment. Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
最新研究显示，阿司匹林这一止痛片可能会使癌症病人的存活率提升至20%。也就是说，如果病人接受化疗来治疗癌症。化疗使用药物来摧毁癌症细胞。

Peter Elwood is with Cardiff University’s School of Medicine in Britain. Forty years ago, he was involved in the first study to explore the effects of aspirin in the prevention of heart disease.
Peter Elwood是英国卡迪夫大学医学院的一员。四十年前，他参与了第一次研究，探索阿司匹林在预防心脏病方面的功效。

Elwood’s team examined 47 studies for evidence that aspirin helped cancer patients. And they found some.
Elwood的团队对47项研究进行调查，以搜集阿司匹林对癌症患者有益的证据。他们确实发现了一些证据。
 

And there’s fairly consistent evidence of a 15 to 20 percent reduction in death and a reduction in metastatic spread, by low dose aspirin.”
“我们发现通过使用少剂量的阿司匹林，死亡率以及癌细胞转移速度下降了15%至20%。”

By low dose, he means 81 milligrams.
少剂量是指81毫克。

The study followed cancer patients for five years.
该研究对癌症病人进行了为期5年的跟踪调查。

Elwood says the evidence is strongest that aspirin delays death among colorectal cancer patients.His team found that aspirin also helped people being treated for breast and prostate cancer.
Elwood说，强有力的证据表明阿司匹林可以降低结肠直肠癌病人的死亡率。他的团队还发现，阿司匹林可以用于治疗乳腺癌和前列腺癌。

The reason appears to be the chemical salicylate. Elwood says many people have small amounts of salicylate in the body.
原因似乎在于化学水杨酸。Elwood表示大部分人的体内都含有少量的水杨酸。

In about 20 percent of patients, researchers have found a genetic mutation that may interact with the chemical.The mutation is known as PIK3CA.This change in the structure of genetic material could explain the reduction in colon cancer.
在20%的病人体内，研究人员都发现了基因突变，可能与水杨酸这种化学物质有关。这种突变被称为PIK3CA。遗传物质结构的改变也许能解释结肠癌发病率降低的原因。

Elwood says he was excited with the study’s findings. He adds that it is not a cure but a small sign of better things to come, what he calls a glimmer of hope and encouragement.
Elwood说他对这项研究结果异常兴奋。他补充道这并不是完全治愈癌症的方法，但是代表了好消息的到来，他将其称为一丝希望和鼓励。

“Well, I feel very gratified because to people given the diagnosis of cancer.It’s not a cure but it’s a glimmer of hope and encouragement to them.So, I am thrilled to have this evidence from the study.”
“我很开心，因为对那些被诊断为癌症的人来说。这并不是完全治愈癌症的方法，但代表了一丝希望和鼓励。我很激动，能从研究中得出这样的有力论证。”

Elwood says that if doctors told him he had cancer, he would not delay in taking aspirin once a day.But he says that decision is up to the individual.
Elwood说，如果医生告诉他他有癌症，他会毫不犹豫地每天服用阿司匹林。但他说这个决定还要看个人。

“If you asked me personally what I would do if I had a diagnosis of cancer, I would say I would have no hesitation in taking it.But I do not recommend it to people.I want them to have the evidence and take (make) their own decision.”
“如果你问我，我得了癌症会怎么做，我会毫不犹豫地服用阿司匹林。但我不推荐其他人这么做。我希望他们有充分的道理，并作出自己的选择。”

The only major risk is that aspirin can cause stomach bleeding.But Elwood says it usually does not cause death.He adds that the evidence points to big health benefits of taking a daily aspirin.So, for some people, the pros might outweigh the cons.
唯一的风险是阿司匹林会造成胃出血。但是Elwood说这并不致死。他补充道，证据表明每日服用阿司匹林对健康有极大好处。所以，对一些人来说，还是利大于弊。

Elwood and his team published the findings in the journal PLoS One.
Elwood及其团队将他们的发现发表在《公共科学图书馆》期刊上。

I’m Anna Matteo.
Anna Matteo为您报道。