Statins

Definition:

Statins are commonly used to treat high LDL cholesterol levels. A negative side effect of statins is that they have the potential to cause liver damage. A positive side effect is that they may reduce a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Examples of statins include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), and Zocor (simvastatin).

Related Research:

• Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Don't Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk
  
• Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Do Double Time

For more information, please read Statins and Colon Cancer.

Sources:

1. Cancer Protection from Statins Questioned. CancerFacts.com. 4 Jan. 2006. 20 Jan. 2006 [http://www.cancerfacts.com/Home_News.asp?NewsId=1953].
   
2. Cholesterol: Lower is Better. Health A to Z. June 2006. 1 Sep. 2006 [http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/card/chod/alert04152004.jsp].
   
3. Jacobs, E. and Rodriguez, C. "Statins and Colorectal Cancer Incidence in the U.S." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 98.1 (Jan. 2006): 69-72. 20 Jan. 2006.
4. Peck, Peggy. Statins May Reduce Risk of Colorectal Cancer. Medscape Medical News. 9 Jun. 2004. 26 Aug. 2006 [http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/480509].
   
5. Whitworth, Ariel. "Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Not Associated with Reduced Colorectal Cancer Risk." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 98.1 (Jan. 2006): 1. 20 Jan. 2006.