Although there's some evidence to suggest that statins reduce the threat of breast cancer, a large, prospective cohort study has concluded that serum lipid levels and cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins, do not seem to affect a woman's risk of breast cancer.
Although there's some evidence to suggest that statins reduce the threat of breast cancer, a large, prospective cohort study has concluded that serum lipid levels and cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins, do not seem to affect a woman's risk of breast cancer.
Researchers followed almost 80,000 cancer-free women between the ages of 42 and 69 who participated in the Nurses' Health Study for up to 12 years. A total of 3,177 cases of invasive breast cancer were documented. The researchers found that current users of lipid-lowering drugs in general and users of statins in particular had a breast cancer risk similar to nonusers (multivariate RR, 0.99; 95% CI; 0.86–1.13 and RR 0.91; 95% CI; 0.76–1.08, respectively). They also found that women with self-reported serum cholesterol levels of ≥240 mg/dL were at no greater risk for breast cancer than women with levels <180 mg/dL (RR 1.04; 95% CI; 0.91–1.17). Duration of use was similarly unassociated with risk.
Eliassen AH, Colditz GA, Rosner B, et al. Serum lipids, lipid-lowering drugs, and the risk of breast cancer. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:2264-2271.
Get the latest clinical updates, case studies, and expert commentary in obstetric and gynecologic care. Sign up now to stay informed.
Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole not found to increase infant birth weight in HIV cases
July 9th 2025A recent randomized trial found no significant improvement in birth weight or key birth outcomes from antenatal trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis in human immunodeficiency virus-positive pregnant women.
Read More