"Statin" heart drugs don't cut colon cancer risk

By Anthony J. Brown, MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Contrary to findings from lab research and recent epidemiologic evidence, results of a new large study show no reduction in the overall risk of colorectal cancer among people who take a "statin" drug such as Lipitor or Zocor for their hearts.

However, "statin use was associated with a reduced risk of stage IV colorectal cancer. This was completely unexpected," Dr. Patricia F. Coogan, from the Boston University School of Medicine, told Reuters Health.

While the reason for this is unclear, Coogan speculated that it may be that the drugs don't prevent the development of cancer but might inhibit progression to more advanced forms.

As reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the researchers compared statin use among 1809 patients with colorectal cancer and 1809 similar but cancer-free "controls."

Taking statins regularly for 3 months or longer had no apparent effect on the overall risk of colorectal cancer, the report indicates. Moreover, no consistent trends in statin dosage or duration of use were seen.

However, statin users were only half as likely to have advanced (stage IV) colorectal cancer as were nonusers, the report indicates.

Although the new findings strongly suggest that statins are not useful for preventing colorectal cancer, Coogan said that her team's study still "does not provide the final word on this topic." Data from forward-looking studies that track large groups of people "are required to provide definitive answers."

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, January 3, 2007.