＂An apple a day keeps the doctor away＂ is a popular saying in the United States. 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 keep the doctor away.
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 on the prevention of heart disease. Elwood’s team examined 47 studies for evidence that aspirin helped cancer patients. They found there’s fairly consistent evidence of a 15 to 20 percent reduction in death and a reduction in cancer’s spread, by low dose(剂量) aspirin. By low dose, he means 81 milligrams. The study followed cancer patients for five years. Elwood says the evidence is strong that aspirin delays death among cancer patients.
Elwood’s team are excited to have this evidence from the study. Elwood adds that it is not a cure but a small sign of better things to come, what he calls a little hope and encouragement. ＂If you asked me personally what I would do if doctors told me I had 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 make their own decisions.＂
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 overweigh the cons.
1. What does the author want to tell us in Paragraph 1?
A. Patients should eat apples.
B. Apples are popular with Americans.
C. Aspirin can be good for health.
D. Doctors should use aspirin instead of apples.
2. What does Elwood suggest people do?
A. The less aspirin, the better.
B. Don’t delay in taking aspirin.
C. Taking aspirin is a better way to cure cancer.
D. Make decisions in the best interest of their own.
3.What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph mean?
A. Aspirin is the best cure for cancer.
B. Taking aspirin won’t kill in the long run.
C. Taking aspirin does more good than harm.
D. The side effect of taking aspirin is strong.
