Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence suggesting that high cholesterol levels could be a cause of prostate cancer. Earlier studies showed that cholesterol-lowering drugs, prescribed to reduce the risk of heart disease, also cut rates of prostate cancer.

But the mechanism of the effect was not clear and study findings had been inconclusive. It was thought that statins might interfere with the growth of the tumor once it was established rather than preventing it from developing. Now a new study of almost 1300 men with the cancer conducted by Italian researchers has found they were 50 per cent more likely to have had high cholesterol levels than a similar number of men without the cancer. Both groups were matched for age and state of health. Read More