Statins slash risk of breast cancer

TAKING statins can nearly halve the chances of death from breast cancer, a major new British study suggests. Scientists said the cholesterollowering drug could become standard treatment against the disease, after certain types appeared to reduce mortality by 43%.

About six million Britons are regularly prescribed statins, principally to lower the levels of “bad” cholesterol and to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease or stroke.

An analysis of seven previous studies found a significant link between the drugs and improved mortality. Previous research has found that some tumours can produce a molecule made from cholesterol, which mimics oestrogen and encourages tumours to grow.

Roughly one in eight women will develop breast cancer, according to Cancer Research UK, with 86% surviving five years after diagnosis.

The research, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, found that across 197 048 women studied, statins reduced risk of death from breast cancer by 27% and from death by any cause by 28%. The best benefit came from lipophilic statins, which reduced the risk of breast cancer by 43%.