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Study Shows Statins Prevent Colon Cancer
Test subjects who used cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins for five years cut by nearly half their risk of developing colon cancer, according to a study in the May 26 New England Journal of Medicine.
The cancer rate dropped even when the subjects had a family history of cancer or other risk factors, said researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, who ran the test. Statins, found in popular cholesterol lowering drugs such as Lipitor, Pravachol or Zocor, have also been shown to be effective at preventing cardiovascular disease.
In the study researchers analyzed 1,953 people with colorectal cancer and 2,015 control subjects who did not have colon cancer. Participants were asked to recall every medication they had used for at least five years. Statin use was determined based on questions and validated against prescription records, according to the study.
Researchers admit they do not known why statins help protect patients against cancer. However, researchers caution that people should not begin taking statins to prevent cancer.
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