Statins May Help in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Men who take statins may be better able to fight off advanced prostate cancer than those not taking statins, a new study suggests. The new study included 926 men with advanced prostate cancer. They were taking drugs to reduce the hormone testosterone. This hormone helps prostate cancer grow. Some of the men also were taking statins to lower cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks. Researchers kept track of the men for an average of about 6 years. In men taking statins, prostate cancer remained stable for an average of 27.5 months before getting worse. Among men not taking statins, the cancer got worse faster, in an average of 17.4 months. Researchers think the statins may keep testosterone from entering cancer cells. This would help the hormone-blocking drugs work better. The journal JAMA Oncology published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it May 7.