May
24
SUNDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) –Several new studies suggest statins
help prevent prostate cancer and reduce the risk of erectile
dysfunction.
All the reports were to be presented Sunday at the American Urological
Association's annual meeting, in Chicago.
One study found that men who were taking statins before undergoing
surgical removal of their prostate had a lower risk of having the cancer
return. "The use of statins at the time of surgery was associated with a
30 percent reduction in the risk of recurrence of prostate cancer," said
lead researcher Dr. Robert J. Hamilton, a urology resident at the
University of Toronto Medical Center in Ontario, Canada.
Hamilton thinks that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins may
explain the finding. However, it might also be the ability of these drugs
to lower cholesterol that has an effect on cancer cells, he said.
Although these results are promising, Hamilton is cautious about
recommending that men should take statins to reduce the risk of recurrent
prostate cancer. "At this point, we cannot with confidence say that that's
true," he stressed.
There are also several unanswered questions, including the optimal
dose, the length of time one needs to be taking statins to achieve a
benefit, and whether starting statin therapy after surgery would have the
same effect.
"Although the results of these studies are exciting, they need to be
confirmed," he said.
Another study focused on inflammation inside prostate cancer tumors.
"We looked at the association between statin use and prostate tumor
inflammation," Banez said.
"We found that men who were using statins prior to surgery had a
significantly lower risk for inflammation within their prostate tumor,"
Banez said.
In fact, men taking statins had a 72 percent reduction in the risk for
inflammation of the prostate tumor. The researchers also found that
obesity appears to be associated with increased inflammation and more
aggressive prostate cancer.
In a third report, researchers led by Dr. Stacy Loeb, from Johns
Hopkins University, found statins may help in reducing the aggressiveness
of prostate cancer. "Our results suggest that the use of statins may be
associated with more favorable pathological features at radical
prostatectomy," the researchers said in a statement.
In a fourth report, researchers led by Dr. Rodney H. Breau from the
Mayo Clinic found that statins were associated with a lower risk of
developing prostate cancer. Among 75 men taking statins who had biopsies,
30 tested positive for prostate cancer, the researchers found.
"In recent years, it has been suggested that statin medications may
prevent development of cancer. However, until now, there has been limited
evidence to support this theory," Breau said in a statement. "Our research
provides evidence that statin use is associated with a threefold reduced
risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer."
There may come a time when people will be taking statins to treat or
prevent prostate cancer, Hamilton noted. "If these studies keep rolling in
suggesting that there is something there with prostate cancer, then the
use of statins could go up," he said.
In a fifth study, Mayo Clinic researchers found that statins and/or
with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) resulted in fewer
lower urinary tract symptoms related to an enlarged prostate.
The researchers found that statin users were 63 percent less likely to
develop lower urinary tract problems and 57 percent less likely to develop
an enlarged prostate.
"Statins have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, and
previous research suggests inflammation may be associated with benign
prostate disease," lead researcher Dr. Jennifer L. St. Sauver said in a
statement. "This study suggests that men's urinary health could be
improved by taking statin medications."
In another report from Mayo Clinic researchers, older men taking
statins over an extended period had a lower risk of developing erectile
dysfunction (ED).
Statins were associated with a decreased risk of ED among men older
than 60. Moreover, men who took statins for a longer time were less likely
to develop ED. For example, men taking statins for nine years or more were
64 percent less likely to develop ED. Men who took statins for less than
three years had about the same risk of developing ED as men who did not
take statins, the researchers found.
"Protection of vascular health remains an important concomitant of
preserving erectile health. Our data suggest that longer use of statins
may result in the lowest risk of erectile dysfunction," study author Dr.
Ajay Nehra said in a statement.
More information
For more on prostate cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.
Uncover What You Must Know About Prostate Cancer, And What YOU Can Do NOW To Reduce Your Risk And Be Healthy. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
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