Better Prostate Cancer Survival for Men Taking Statins

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Two recent reports have linked statin use with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. One study, from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, found a decline in prostate cancer death rates that was most notable among white men who used statins.

Another study, from Duke University Medical Center, found lower blood levels of prostate-specific antigen, a potential marker of the cancer, among men taking statins.

A study on statin use in prostate cancer prevention or treatment should center on men at higher risk, Zelefsky said -- "Older men with a family history."

There is "no significant downside" to statin use in such studies because the drugs have a low rate of adverse side effects, he said.

More information

For more on prostate cancer, visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute.