Cholesterol-lowering medications are taken by millions of Americans to lower their LDL, or "bad" cholesterol and/or raise their HDL, or "good" cholesterol. The ultimate goal of these medications is to reduce the risk for developing heart disease and other conditions that are associated with high levels of cholesterol. As with any medication, the potential of side effects must be considered. However, one possible side effect of cholesterol medications is potentially a positive one: a decreased risk of cancer.
Colorectal Cancer
The HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, are commonly used in the treatment of high cholesterol. Common negative side effects of these medications include muscle pain and weakness due to muscle damage. However, there may be a beneficial effect to this group of medications, beyond the main goal of lowering cholesterol: there may be a link between taking statin medications and preventing the development of colorectal cancer. A study published November 2010 in the "British Medical Journal" reviewed more than 4,000 studies related to statin use and colorectal cancer or digestive tumors. Of these, only 32 met the quality standards established by the authors; these were closely examined to determine whether a link between cancer prevention and statin use exists. The authors conclude that statins may contribute to a small but noticeable decrease in the risk for colorectal cancer. The authors further remind readers that currently, there is too little evidence to support the recommendation of statin use solely for prevention of colorectal cancer. However, if you are taking a statin in order to lower cholesterol, you may also slightly decrease your risk for colorectal cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Another possible positive side effect of statin cholesterol-lowering medications is the role they may play in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. For example, a large study of over 23,000 men in Finland compared a group of men taking statin medications to men taking other cholesterol-lowering medications and to men taking no cholesterol-lowering medications. The authors of this study found that in the group of men who were taking statins, the risk of prostate cancer was decreased when compared to the group of men who were not taking medications for their cholesterol. In contrast, the group of men who were taking other cholesterol-lowering medications did not appear to have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. While this study, published in the "International Journal of Cancer," was a large one, a single study is not enough evidence to prove this relationship.
Melanoma
Studies investigating the link between statin use and melanoma are ongoing. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that often progresses rapidly; according to Medline Plus, it is the leading cause of death related to a skin disease. The National Cancer Institute reports that the association between statin use and a decreased risk for melanoma may involve the precancerous form of melanoma, a lesion known as a dysplastic nevus. However, as with the potential relationship between statin use and colorectal or prostate cancers, much more research needs to be done before more definitive statements can be made. Currently, the National Cancer Institute recommendation is that taking statins for cancer prevention is not a good idea; only patients who are enrolled in clinical trials should be taking statins for reasons other than cholesterol-lowering.
References
- "British Medical Journal;" Effect of Statin Therapy on Colorectal Cancer; M. Bardou et. al.; November 2010
- "UpToDate;" Statins: Actions, Side Effects, and Administration; R. Rosenson; June 2010
- "International Journal of Cancer;" Prostate Cancer and PSA Among Statin Users in the Finnish Prostate Cancer Screening Trial; T. Murtola et. al.; October 2010
- National Cancer Institute: Statins and Cancer Prevention
