Nitric Oxide-Releasing Acetylsalicyclic Acid in Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Patients at High Risk of Colorectal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * At risk for colorectal cancer * History of histologically proven sporadic colon adenomas or colon cancer * At least 5 aberrant cryptic foci on sigmoidoscopy * Less than 20 prior cumulative adenomas and no heredity nonpolyposis colorectal cancer * No significant asymptomatic lesions on sigmoidoscopy, including any of the following: * Inflammation * Strictures * Anorectal lesions * Fistulae * Vascular lesions * No adenomas or colon carcinomas on flexible sigmoidoscopy * No history of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer other than colorectal cancer * No inherited colorectal cancer syndromes PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * No other GI mucosal epithelial diseases (e.g., Barrett's esophagus, chronic or recurrent peptic ulcer disease, celiac sprue, or other disorders of nutrient absorption) * No active peptic ulcer disease * No history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) * No known or suspected alcohol ( \> 5 glasses of wine or beer per day), drug, or medication abuse * No quantitative or qualitative platelet or coagulation abnormalities * No personal or family history of a bleeding disorder * No uncontrolled diabetes * No uncontrolled hypertension, or chronic congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class II-IV heart disease) * No myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, or stroke within the past 6 months * No equilibrium disorders affecting gait or ability to stand that would preclude study participation * No involuntary change in weight (up or down) of ≥ 15% of usual body weight within the past year * Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL * No chronic liver disease or pancreatitis * No allergies to aspirin * No prior severe adverse reactions to NSAIDs such as asthma, GI bleeding, or renal insufficiency * No institutionalized, mentally disabled patients * No prisoners * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Negative pregnancy test PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No concurrent antibiotic prophylaxis * More than 7 days since prior nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment, including aspirin * No concurrent frequent use (\> 7 days in previous month) of NSAIDs, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors, nitrovasodilators, or oral corticosteroids * No concurrent macronutrient consumption below the 1st or above the 99th percentile of U.S. consumption * No concurrent anticoagulants, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel * More than 3 months since prior general anesthesia * More than 3 months since prior investigational agents * No concurrent NSAIDs, including aspirin or COX-2 inhibitors * Acetaminophen allowed * No concurrent nitrovasodilating drugs * More than 3 months since prior participation in other investigational trials