About 1000 Canberrans are taking part in the largest medical trial in Australian history, helping to determine the long-term health benefits of regular aspirin use.
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The Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly study, or ASPREE, began in 2011 and is planned to run until 2017 to weigh the potential benefits of long-term aspirin use, such as preventing the onset of age-related diseases, against the risks.
More than 17,000 senior Australians have enrolled in the study, with a goal of 19,000 set to be reached by October. In Canberra, up to 1000 residents will take part in the trial.
ASPREE ACT chief investigator Professor Walter Abhayaratna said at an information session on Monday there were some risks associated with aspirin use that needed more research.
"Every month there's a new report saying 'aspirin's fantastic, give it to everyone'. The next month it'll be 'aspirin's terrible, you shouldn't be on it for primary prevention'," he said.
"So we know somewhere in the middle, there's the truth."
Professor Abhayaratna says as life expectancy steadily increases in Australia, it is important to find ways to keep senior citizens healthy,
Participants take one pill a day and have an annual meeting with researchers to report any developments and incidents.
Retired airforce officer Doug Hurst, 73, said he had been a part of the trial since it started in 2011 and was pleased to be part of the largest medical trial in Australian history.
The Chapman resident said he had volunteered because he thought it was a good thing to do.
"There's one little tablet every day that you take and they're a special coated tablet, and that's basically it - that's all you're asked to do," he said.
Mr Hurst said he understood opinion was divided on the issue of regular aspirin supplements, including his own family.
"My daughter, who's a haematologist, she thinks everyone should be taking aspirin anyway, but as this guy said, that's not yet proven. We do need to know and this is the best way to find out," he said.