Statin use at cancer diagnosis linked to lower mortality

November 8, 2012 in Cancer

Statin use at cancer diagnosis linked to lower mortality

For patients with cancer, statin use prior to diagnosis correlates with reduced all-cause and cancer-related mortality, according to a study published in the Nov. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

(HealthDay)—For patients with cancer, statin use prior to diagnosis correlates with reduced all-cause and cancer-related mortality, according to a study published in the Nov. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

In an effort to examine whether statin use initiated before reduced cancer-related mortality, Sune F. Nielsen, Ph.D., from Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark, and colleagues evaluated mortality among patients from the Danish population who had received a diagnosis of cancer between 1995 and 2007 and were followed up through December 2009. The cohort included 18,271 patients aged 40 or older who had used statins regularly before diagnosis, and 277,204 patients who had never used statins.

The researchers found that, compared with non-users, for statin users the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios were significantly lower and were 0.85 each for death from any cause and death from cancer. The adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality varied according to the defined daily dose of statin per day and were 0.82 for a dose of 0.01 to 0.75; 0.87 for a dose of 0.76 to 1.50; and 0.87 for a dose higher than 1.50. The corresponding hazard ratios for cancer-related mortality were 0.83, 0.87, and 0.87, respectively. For each of 13 there was reduced cancer-related mortality for statin users versus non-users.

"In conclusion, among patients with cancer, we observed an association between statin use at the time of diagnosis and a reduced risk of cancer-related mortality, with a reduction of up to 15 percent," the authors write. "Prospective evaluation of the hypothesis that statin use prolongs the survival of patients with cancer is needed."

One author disclosed to the .

More information: Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal reference: New England Journal of Medicine search and more info website

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

3 /5 (2 votes)  

Filter


Move the slider to adjust rank threshold, so that you can hide some of the comments.


Display comments: newest first

dogbert
Nov 09, 2012

Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
Let us try to manufacture another bogus reason to continue to sell statins.

Billions of dollars are at stake.
Rank 3 /5 (2 votes)
Related Stories
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Research offers promising new approach to treatment of lung cancer

Researchers have developed a new drug delivery system that allows inhalation of chemotherapeutic drugs to help treat lung cancer, and in laboratory and animal tests it appears to reduce the systemic damage ...

Cancer created 2 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study details genes that control whether tumors adapt or die when faced with p53 activating drugs

When turned on, the gene p53 turns off cancer. However, when existing drugs boost p53, only a few tumors die – the rest resist the challenge. A study published in the journal Cell Reports shows how: tumors that live even i ...

Cancer created 2 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Small increase in cancer risk following CT scans in childhood and adolescence

Study leader, Professor John Mathews from the University of Melbourne said this small increase in cancer risk must be weighed against the undoubted benefits from CT scans in diagnosing and monitoring disease.

Cancer created 7 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cancer survivors need more support to stop smoking and drinking

Cancer survivors are no more likely to stop smoking, cut down on alcohol, or exercise more often than the general population, according to new research published in the British Journal of Cancer today (Wednesday)

Cancer created 8 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Beta-blockers may boost chemo effect in childhood cancer

Beta-blockers, normally used for high blood pressure, could enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapies in treating neuroblastoma, a type of children's cancer, according to a new study published in the British Jo ...

Cancer created 9 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Having both migraines, depression may mean smaller brain

(HealthDay)—Migraines and depression can each cause a great deal of suffering, but new research indicates the combination of the two may be linked to something else entirely—a smaller brain.

Novel approach for influenza vaccination shows promise in early animal testing

A new approach for immunizing against influenza elicited a more potent immune response and broader protection than the currently licensed seasonal influenza vaccines when tested in mice and ferrets. The vaccine ...

Brain can be trained in compassion, study shows

Until now, little was scientifically known about the human potential to cultivate compassion—the emotional state of caring for people who are suffering in a way that motivates altruistic behavior.

SARS-like virus claims new life in Saudi

A man who had contracted the coronavirus has died in Saudi Arabia, raising the death toll in the kingdom from the SARS-like virus to 17, the health ministry announced on its website on Wednesday.

Glaxo, US partnering to develop new antibiotics

GlaxoSmithKline PLC says it's starting an unusual collaboration with the U.S. government to develop several antibiotics for both bioterrorism threats and bacterial infections resistant to current medicines.

Good marriage can buffer effects of dad's depression on young children

What effect does a father's depression have on his young son or daughter? When fathers report a high level of emotional intimacy in their marriage, their children benefit, said a University of Illinois study.