An ordinary household drug might help prevent cervical cancer in
women living with HIV and HPV (human papillomavirus, a primary
cause of the cancer)—especially in developing nations. Research
in Haiti found that high levels of an enzyme called COX-2 and
its byproduct PGE-M were linked to cervical cancer. The
inflammation caused by HIV raises levels of COX-2, which could
be one reason women living with HIV have a high risk of cervical
cancer. Enter (possibly) aspirin, which blocks COX-2. In theory,
taking one aspirin daily might help HIV-positive women suppress
COX-2 and improve their chances of avoiding cervical cancer. The
researchers are pushing for trials to test the idea. If it
works, could this approach be useful in countries with widely
available cervical screening and treatment, like the United
States? “[That would] require a careful assessment of risk and
benefit,” Andrew Dannenberg, MD, of Weill Cornell Medical
College and an author of the study, tells POZ. “Remember,” he
adds, “that aspirin can have