PHS Cancer Abbreviation

Physicians Health Study

A very large, long-term, randomized study initiated in 1982 to look at the effects of aspirin and beta-carotene on cancer and cardiovascular disease. Its finding that daily low-dose aspirin decreased the risk of a first myocardial infarction by 44% helped focus attention on the role of aspirin in primary prevention of heart attacks. The study also showed no benefit or harm from beta-carotene, a finding that allowed investigators to turn to other, more promising agents.