Statins -- such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin) -- are among the most widely prescribed medications in the United States. They're valuable not only for lowering cholesterol levels, but also for reducing the risk of developing heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and possibly strokes. In addition, several large population studies have suggested that statins might help protect against cancer.
Researchers know that taking statins does not increase the risk of developing cancer, but can they actually help prevent cancer? At this point, the research isn't completely clear; unfortunately, the short answer indicates, "No, they can't."
Some large, population-based studies did find fewer cases of cancer among people taking statins than in the general population. However, other researchers concluded that statins didn't have any cancer-protective effect.
A number of large studies have been conducted specifically to investigate the link between statins and colorectal cancer. These studies have compared people using statins with others having a similar health profile, but who didn't use one of these cholesterol-lowering drugs.
One study found that using statins long term (at least 5 years) reduced the risk of developing colon cancer by 47%. But another group of researchers found no link whatsoever between statin use and colon cancer. Scientists don't know why these studies reached such divergent conclusions.
Researchers investigating links between statins and breast cancer have likewise found no increased or decreased risk connection between the two.
Still other studies concluded that using statins for at least 6 months can help prevent lung cancer. There have not been any researchers involved who have suggested that statins should be seen as a strategy for preventing lung cancer or any other kind of cancer. Doctors and other healthcare professionals still focus on avoiding known causes of cancer, such as smoking, rather than relying on a pill for a quick fix.
Researchers using large meta-analyses -- which combine and reanalyze the results of many smaller studies -- have also investigated whether statins have any impact on developing or preventing cancer. The conclusions of these studies indicate that statins neither increase nor decrease cancer risk.
The likely explanation for earlier positive findings is the chance effect of unrelated, confounding factors. It's possible that the benefits identified with statins in earlier studies of specific cancers may instead have reflected the impact of the participants' healthy behaviors.
For example, people taking statins to lower cholesterol might do so as part of a broader heart-healthy lifestyle, which can include a low-fat diet, quitting smoking, losing weight and exercising regularly to reduce the risk of developing heart disease or a heart attack. Several of these factors, such as not smoking, are also known to reduce lung cancer risk.
Similarly, a low-fat, high-fiber diet with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit is known to help prevent colon cancer as well as to help lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
Although statins may not, in and of themselves, prevent cancer, they can play an important role as part of a broader healthy lifestyle to prevent heart disease and stroke. A heart-healthy lifestyle can certainly also be a cancer-preventative lifestyle.
One element in a heart-healthy strategy may involve taking statins as prescribed by your doctor or nurse practitioner, along with reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular cardiovascular or aerobic exercise, eating a low-fat diet and not smoking. Knowing that statins won't put you at any greater risk of developing cancer and the possibility that it may even help prevent certain types of cancer may keep you from worrying. This can also help you focus on reducing your risks for cardiovascular disease and cancer by following a healthy lifestyle.
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