Statins could halve the chance of breast cancer victims suffering again

Lowering cholesterol levels can deprive tumours of ‘fuel’ to develop, research shows

BREAST cancer survivors could benefit from taking statins, scientists believe, after discovering that lowering cholesterol halves the chance of the disease returning in 10 years.

Scientists have known for some time that the hormone oestrogen helps cancer to spread, which is why women are usually given anti-hormone treatments following chemotherapy and surgery.

But a new study from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has shown that breast cancers use cholesterol to produce a molecule which has the same impact as oestrogen. The molecule – called 25-HC – acts like a fuel to allow cancer cells to keep growing.

Lab trials showed that blocking the molecule prevents cancer spreading by 50 per cent, a finding that cancer charities called a “really crucial discovery”.

Separate trials showed that women whose genes encouraged the production of the cholesterol molecule were twice as likely to die within 10 years.

“During the course of treatment, breast cancers, that are ‘fed’ by oestrogen, often become resistant to standard hormone therapy,” said Dr Lesley-Ann Martin, group leader at the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at the ICR.

“Our research has demonstrated that these cancer cells can use a cholesterol molecule to mimic oestrogen so that they continue to grow without it.

“This is hugely significant. Testing the patient’s tumour for 25-HC or the enzymes that make it may allow us to predict which patients are likely to develop resistance hormone therapy, and tailor their treatment accordingly.

“Our study also demonstrates that statins could be a valuable addition to breast cancer treatment, and that this warrants investigation in clinical trials.” The study looked at the most common type of breast cancer, known as ‘ER Positive’ which affects 80 per cent of the 40,000 women who are diagnosed each year. Those women are at greater risk from oestrogen because their breast cells have more oestrogen receptors making them particularly sensitive to the hormone.

“This is a really crucial discovery,” said Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now. “Far too many women have to deal with the potentially devastating consequences of their breast cancer coming back and this research presents an important opportunity to improve the effectiveness of the most commonly used treatments.

Women with migraines have a higher risk of dying from heart problems, and statins could help lower the chances of early death, a new study suggests. The German/US study published in the

British Medical Journal is the first to show the headaches increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and dying early.