Statins and cancer risk: what do we know and where do we go from here?

Full Abstract

The relationship between statin use and cancer risk has been evaluated in numerous observational studies and as a secondary outcome in randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of statins on cardiovascular outcomes. Although there are plausible biologic mechanisms to suggest that statins could inhibit cellular proliferation, the epidemiologic data do not show a consistent reduction in cancer risk among statin users. Despite the current lack of evidence for a chemopreventive effect, there are several methodologic considerations in the studies reported to date that prevent a definitive conclusion that statins do not reduce cancer risk. Given the widespread use of statins, continued monitoring of their risks and benefits is warranted.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Moorman, Patricia G (PG); Hamilton, Robert J (RJ);

Affiliation: Cancer Prevention, Detection and Control Research Program, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. patricia.moorman(-atsign-)duke.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comment; Editorial

Journal: Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) (Epidemiology), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 18 (issue 2) : pp 194-6

Dates: Created 2007/02/15; Completed 2007/03/22; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17301705, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentOn: Epidemiology. 2007 Mar;18(2):213-9. (PMID: 17235211)

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Chemoprevention - methods
Humans
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Neoplasms - epidemiology; prevention & control

Neoplasms - epidemiology; prevention & control
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Risk
Risk Reduction Behavior

Associated Chemicals: Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (0)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

[Cancer in children: epidemiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics] 13 Mar 2008
[Diffusion of genetic testing in oncology: what criteria for regulation?] 27 Feb 2007
Statins and cancer. 29 Jun 2007
[Cancers associated with herpesviruses: clinical diversity, biological similarities] 30 May 2007
Screening statins for possible carcinogenic risk: up to 9 years of follow-up of 361,859 recipients. 30 Dec 2007
Risk associated with statin treatment. 30 Dec 2007
Statins, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and risk of cancer. 28 Sep 2008
Statin use and the risk of 10 cancers. 27 Feb 2007
Mortality experiences among 15+ year survivors of childhood and adolescence cancers. 27 Feb 2007
[Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes] 28 Mar 2007

See 100+ related articles.