Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs not a Player in Breast Cancer Risk
Reported October 25, 2005

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Although previous evidence pointed to a positive affect of cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins on breast cancer, new research says it isn't so.

Prior research shows statins, which are the most commonly used as lipid-lowering drugs, may slow the development of cancerous tumors and may actually work in tandem with chemotherapy drugs against cancer. But studies on the protective effects of statins on breast cancer have been conflicting.

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study to determine whether there's a link between cholesterol-lowering drugs and breast cancer. They also measured cholesterol levels to see what effect cholesterol itself has on breast cancer risk. Nearly 80,000 women were included in the study. Data was collected in 1988, 1994, 1998 and 2000.

There were 3,177 cases of breast cancer identified, 1,727 of which were among statin users. Results of the study show there is no association between statin use or the use of other cholesterol-lowering drugs with the risk of breast cancer. Furthermore, there was no link between cholesterol levels and the risk of breast cancer in pre- or post-menopausal women.

Study authors say, "Amid the inconsistencies of previous studies, our results suggest no association between total cholesterol levels and breast cancer risk." They conclude: "The results of this study suggest that the beneficial effect of statins on breast cancer observed in experimental studies may not be applicable to humans. Further study is warranted to evaluate the associations of longer durations of statin use and specific types of statins with breast cancer risk."