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Statin Use May Be Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk, Says Study

Date:
January 9, 2008
Source:
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Summary:
Patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may be at lower risk for developing cancer, especially lung and colorectal cancers. However, it is unknown whether statins directly prevent cancer. Statin users in this study had a reduced risk of all cancer types compared with non-statin users. The incidence of cancer was 9.4 percent among statin users and 13.2 percent among non-statin users.
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Patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may be at lower risk for developing cancer, especially lung and colorectal cancers. However, it is unknown whether statins directly prevent cancer.

Laboratory studies have shown that statins may inhibit cancer cell growth, but evidence from observational studies has been inconsistent.

To investigate the association between statin use and cancer incidence, Wildon Farwell, M.D., of the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and colleagues collected data on patients in the VA healthcare system who were using statins and/or blood pressure-lowering medications.

Statin users had a reduced risk of all cancer types compared with non-statin users. The incidence of cancer was 9.4 percent among statin users and 13.2 percent among non-statin users.

"Our findings support the hypothesis that statins may reduce the risk of cancer, in particular lung and colorectal cancers. This relationship may be affected by the [statin dose]," the authors write.


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Materials provided by Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Journal of the National Cancer Institute. "Statin Use May Be Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk, Says Study." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 January 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183110.htm>.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (2008, January 9). Statin Use May Be Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk, Says Study. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183110.htm
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. "Statin Use May Be Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk, Says Study." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183110.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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