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Cholesterol Drop May Boost Cancer Risk

Study doesn't prove cause-and-effect relationship, docs say

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Jul 24, 2007 4:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – Artificially reducing cholesterol to very low levels may slightly increase the risk of cancer, but that doesn't mean heart patients should go off their meds. One extra cancer case occurred in each 1,000 patients using statin drugs in an analysis of 23 different trials, Reuters reports; researchers hastened to caution that that doesn't mean the drugs caused the increase.

The Tufts University study, known as a meta-analysis, compiled statistics on more than 41,000 patients; it zeroed in on those with the lowest LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels. "You have to be careful," says one statin expert. "People stop taking their statins because they are afraid of cancer and then they die of heart attacks."

A 3D rendering of a cholesterol molecule. Low doses of "bad" cholesterol in patients correlated with a slight increase in cancer occurrence. (RedAndr, Wikimedia Commons)

A doctor's advice, and a healthy balanced diet is still the best bet against both heart disease and cancer. "You have to be careful about these things, because people stop taking their statins because... (Shutterstock.com)

Statins, the world's best selling drugs, are likely to stay that way as physicians weigh their immediate benefits against long-term side-effects. (Shutterstock.com)

Linda Severin, vice president for corporate brands for Kroger, stands next to a display of the new Active Lifestyles milk, a product marketed as cholesterol reducing and fat free, embracing the traditional... (Associated Press)

The Schering-Plough headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J., makers of cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia, seen in this Sept. 6, 2006 file photograph. Despite commercial and medical progress in the battle with... (Associated Press)

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Cholesterol Drop May Boost Cancer Risk

Study doesn't prove cause-and-effect relationship, docs say

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Battle Brews in Pharma's Market

Pfizer launches attack on generic drug that threatens Lipitor's dominance

Pfizer Hopes to Sell Lipitor Over the Counter

But FDA is leery about letting people use statins on their own

Eat Some Nuts to Lower Cholesterol

Study: A daily dose reduces 'bad' cholesterol levels

Drug May Cut Heart Attack Risk in Half

'Blockbuster' study could transform preventative care

Docs Push Cholesterol Tests for Kids

New rules advise testing as young as 2, treating with statins at 8

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Cholesterol Drop May Boost Cancer Risk

Study doesn't prove cause-and-effect relationship, docs say

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Background

Related coverage

cancer • cholesterol • statins • LDL • bad cholesterol • Tufts University

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Battle Brews in Pharma's Market

Pfizer launches attack on generic drug that threatens Lipitor's dominance

Pfizer Hopes to Sell Lipitor Over the Counter

But FDA is leery about letting people use statins on their own

Eat Some Nuts to Lower Cholesterol

Study: A daily dose reduces 'bad' cholesterol levels

Drug May Cut Heart Attack Risk in Half

'Blockbuster' study could transform preventative care

Docs Push Cholesterol Tests for Kids

New rules advise testing as young as 2, treating with statins at 8

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?