Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Prevent Lung Cancer

Filed in archive Cases , Studies , Treatment on May 14, 2007

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs used for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis that causes cardiovascular events such as chest pain, heart attacks and strokes.

Common statins in the market are Atorvastatin (Lipitor®), simvastatin, lovastatin.

A large population study from conducted by research team from Louisiana State University and the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, found that statins seem to protect against lung cancer development.

• statin use of 6 or more months was associated with a lung cancer risk reduction of 55%.


• statin use of more than 6 months showed a decreased risk of lung cancer across all age groups, and despite race, smoking status, or body mass index (BMI)

Findings have been reported in the May issue of CHEST, journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.

Read the full report.

[Photo Credit: Medicine World]