According to new research, led by led by a team at Johns Hopkins, having lower cholesterol might cut a man’s risk of high-grade prostate cancer by as much as 60 percent.
In a study of over 5,000 men, the research team said they now have evidence that having lower levels of heart-clogging fat may cut a man’s risk of this form of cancer by nearly 60 per cent.
Men that had blood cholesterol readings in the “normal” range below 200 milligrams per decilitre had a 59 per cent reduced risk of developing aggressive tumours.
High-grade prostate cancers, known as “tigers”, tend to grow and spread rapidly. They are identified by a “Gleason score” – a measurement of aggressiveness – of between eight and 10.
“These results should help dispel any lingering thoughts that low cholesterol may help cause cancer”, said Eric Jacobs, strategic director of pharmacoepidemiology at the American Cancer Society. He has also written an editorial accompanying the published study.
Other research has shown that cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) can lower the risk of prostate cancer, adding support to the current prospective study. The findings should help ease longstanding fears that low cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of cancer
Factors including smoking history, obesity, family history, and intake of high cholesterol foods were not taken into account; neither had it been determined whether the men studied were taking cholesterol-lowering medications such as Lipitor, Zocor or Crestor.