Anti-Cholesterol Drugs May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk
Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may help cut the risk of colon cancer, according to a study presented Sunday at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
The study found that people who took statins for at least five years appeared to have a 50 percent reduced risk of colon cancer, the Associated Press reported.
Previous research found that statins may reduce the risk of breast, prostate and other forms of cancer.
The new study included 1,708 people who had colon cancer and 1,737 people who did not have the disease. The researchers found that those who took statins for at least five years had about half the cancer risk of those who didn't take statins.
This strong protective effect held true even after the researchers compensated for other factors, such as a healthier lifestyle.
Other kinds of cholesterol drugs did not seem to offer the same kind of cancer protection as statins, the study found, the AP reported.
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