Aspirin -- it's cheap and easy to take. It may also prevent some of the world's most horrific diseases.

According to an article published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, several of large studies show that taking aspirin every day cuts your overall risk of dying from cancer by 15 percent.

You can cut your risk by 37 percent if you take it every day for more than five years.

Family physician Dr. Phillip Snider said he is not surprised by the findings.

"To me it makes sense because aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, and we are finding more and more evidence that inflammation is the cause of our chronic diseases," Snider said.

Millions of Americans already take aspirin every day to prevent cardiovascular disease.

In fact, doctors recommend men over 45 take a baby aspirin daily to help prevent a heart attack. Women over 55 should take the same dose to help prevent a stroke.

Still, health experts warn you should talk with your doctor before you start taking aspirin every day because, for some people, it can actually do more harm than good. 

Snider said the drawbacks of taking aspirin every day include the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and other side effects.

"Some people are sensitive. They have an allergy to aspirin and usually people who have allergies and asthma and eczema together, they can have a worsening of their asthma if they start to take aspirin," he explained.

The take-away? Simple aspirin could help stave-off cancer and heart disease. But before you start popping this little pill, make sure it's right for you.