In 1977, the first reports linking aspirin use in children with Reye's Syndrome began to emerge.

In 1980, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) started recommending that aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers for treating viral infections.

In 1986, the CDC issued a stronger advisory against the use of aspirin in children, particularly during viral illnesses.

But there was a problem with the advice. Colon cancer is significantly more common than Reye's Syndrome.

Reye's Syndrome is much rarer, with only about 1 in 100,000 children in the U.S. being affected. It primarily occurs in children and teenagers recovering from viral infections, especially influenza and chickenpox.

Given these statistics, colon cancer occurs far more frequently than Reye's Syndrome, making it a far more significant public health concern.

Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in the United States and globally. In 2026, it's projected that over 100,000 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. alone, with it being a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

In 2007, the American Cancer Society acknowledged the potential benefits of aspirin in reducing colorectal cancer risk but emphasized the need for more research to guide recommendations.

In 2016, New guidelines began to emerge, suggesting that aspirin could be considered in colorectal cancer prevention strategies for certain high-risk populations.

The reduction in aspirin use among younger individuals due to warnings about Reye's Syndrome may contribute to the increasing incidence of colon cancer in this generation.

Studies have shown that regular use of aspirin can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties that may play a role in preventing tumor development in the colon.

In 2021, the the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that average-risk individuals begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. This change was influenced by rising incidence rates of colon cancer among younger adults. Later In 2021, the American Medical Association (AMA) joined the USPSTF which updated and strengthened their recommendations regarding the age for routine colon cancer screening lowing it from 50 to 45 for all individuals.

The warnings about Reye's Syndrome, a rare but serious condition associated with aspirin use in children and teenagers, have led to decreased use of aspirin in younger populations.

Additionally, the warnings caused a company that was once a major player in chewable orange flavored aspirin marketed for children, St Joseph, to redirect its production to low dose aspirin directed for adults.

The decline in aspirin availability and use likely means far fewer young adults also are receiving its potential protective benefits against colon cancer.

The generations that first received the warnings beginning in 1980 are now at least 45 years old - the same age as now recommended to receive regular colon cancer screening.

As new generations grew up with heightened awareness of potential side effects of medications like aspirin, they may be less likely to use it regularly, thereby missing out on its protective effects against cancer.

While there are multiple factors at play in the rising rates of colon cancer among those under 50, reduced aspirin use due to possibly misplaced safety warnings may certainly be one contributing element.


https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/research/aspirin-cancer-risk

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260420-cancer-how-aspirin-may-be-a-powerful-new-weapon-against-tumours