Colon cancer patients who use statins may be less likely to have a recurrence, according to a study presented at the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Statins are commonly used to treat high levels of "bad" cholesterol, and some studies have shown they also reduce colon cancer risk.
This particular study examined the medical records of about 350 people with stage 1, 2, or 3 colon cancer to determine if statins could help decrease the risk of a recurrence.
Results of the Study
About a quarter of the patients (89 total) used statins, mostly for approximately two years. The researchers found that over a five-year period, colon cancer had recurred in 16 percent of non-statin users but only 7 percent of statin users. At the two-year mark, 10 percent of non-statin users had endured a recurrence, as compared to 4 percent of colon cancer patients who used statins. These results were independent of colon cancer stage.
Limitations of the Study
The number of participants in this study is pretty low, so the results should be viewed with some skepticism. More research is needed to determine the role statins may play in reducing the risk of colon cancer recurrence.
To learn more about this topic, please read Statins and Colon Cancer.
More Research About Statins and Colon Cancer:- Statins May Impact Colon Cancer Risk
- Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Do Double Time
- Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Don't Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk
Source: Anderson, D. and Jackson, J. "Statin Use is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Colon Cancer Recurrence." Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition) 25.18S (20 Jun. 2007): 4114. Accessed 22 Jun. 2007 [http://meeting.jco.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/18_suppl/4114?ct=ct].
