Chances are you've got aspirin in your medicine cabinet or a kitchen drawer. It's a potent little pill, especially considering its negligible cost of a few cents or less for a couple of generic or store-branded tablets.
Besides its talents as an anti-inflammatory and painkiller, a baby dose of 81 milligrams a day slashes the chance of heart attack and stroke to those at risk. And breaking research suggests that a daily aspirin can slow the spread of or even prevent cancer.
The Benefits 
1. It could lower cancer risk.
2. It may even lower risk for breast cancer.
3. It could help during pregnancy.
4. There is some hope for Alzheimer's protection.
5. It may help prevent strokes—unless you also take ibuprofen.
6. It may protect against Parkinson's disease.
7. It may prevent asthma in middle-aged women.
The Risks
1. It may throw off test results for prostate cancer.
2. It may increase the risk of hearing loss.
3. People with diabetes might not get some benefits.
4. There is such a thing as "aspirin resistance."
5. In some cases, it may be less effective in women.
6. It may cause stomach troubles.
7. It may increase the risk of bleeding.
