This study adds significant weight to the idea that a drug as simple and cheap as aspirin could help treat breast and other cancers.

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat breast and ovarian cancer, but some tumours can become resistant over time and start growing again.

It is unlikely that many African nations will be able to afford such a costly medicine for breast cancer, when far cheaper ones for colon and testicular cancer are going wanting.