Rising blood levels of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is used to diagnose prostate cancer, but there is conflicting evidence that statins ( cholesterol-lowering drug) may be associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers at Duke University studied changes in PSA levels in 1,214 men who were prescribed statins and found PSA level drops slightly in men who lower their cholestrol with statin drugs. They said that the reduction could mean that statins may affect prostate biology or statins may lower their PSA levels without lowering the risk of prostate cancer, making the disease more difficult to diagnose.
Critics said further research is needed and men who currently take Statins should not be worried by these findings. In the UK, PSA testing is not rountinely carried out.
Source: Hamilton RJ, Goldberg KC, Platz EA, Freedland SJ. The Influence of Statin Medications on Prostate-specific Antigen Levels. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2008; Advance Access published online on October 28, 2008
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