Lipid-lowering medication and risk of cancer.
Low or declining levels of serum cholesterol have been associated with increased mortality from cancer. We conducted a population-based cohort study of 1882 patients from one Danish county who received lipid-lowering drugs between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1994. During the follow-up period of up to 4 years, 41 cancers were observed among users of lipid-lowering drugs, with 42.9 expected, to yield an age- and sex-standardized incidence ratio of 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.3). Although limited by small numbers and short follow-up period, examination by site of cancer and type of drug provided no evidence of an association. Further research is needed, however, with longer follow-up to assess more fully any potential cancer risk with these medications.
Olsen
J H
JH
Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Copenhagen.
Johansen
C
C
Sørensen
H T
HT
McLaughlin
J K
JK
Mellemkjaer
L
L
Steffensen
F H
FH
Fraumeni
J F
JF
D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents