Users' questions

Do statins increase breast cancer risk?

Do statins increase breast cancer risk?

The risk for breast cancer was also significantly increased among overweight women who used hydrophobic statins for less than or equal to 4 years OR=4.1 (95% CI 1.2-14.4). Conclusion: This observational study found an increased risk of breast cancer related to duration of statins use and PR− among postmenopausal women.

Do statins Increase risk of cancer?

Studies have yet to prove that statins may actually cause cancer. Many of these studies found a strong association between long term statin therapy and higher rates of cancer. Those who need to take statin drugs may have other risk factors for cancer, or the drug may increase the risk.

Can I take statins with tamoxifen?

No interactions were found between Lipitor and tamoxifen. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Who is at high risk for breast cancer recurrence?

Younger people, particularly those under age 35 at the time of their original breast cancer diagnosis, face a higher risk of recurrent breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer. People with inflammatory breast cancer have a higher risk of local recurrence.

Which statin has the least amount of side effects?

In the analysis of 135 previous studies, which included nearly 250,000 people combined, researchers found that the drugs simvastatin (Zocor) and pravastatin (Pravachol) had the fewest side effects in this class of medications. They also found that lower doses produced fewer side effects in general.

What foods should be avoided when taking statins?

A: While taking atorvastatin (Lipitor), avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods as part of your overall treatment. You should avoid large quantities of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which can increase the risk of serious side effects. Also, avoid excess alcohol use, as this may cause serious liver problems.

Do statins shorten your life?

“The study showed that taking statins for 6 years reduced death from cardiovascular disease by 24 percent, and overall mortality by 23 percent.”

At what age should you stop statins?

Dr. Guy L. Mintz, director of cardiovascular health and lipidology at Northwell Health’s Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, New York, says the study reinforces that older adults shouldn’t stop taking their statin just because they reach the “magic age” of 75.

Does tamoxifen cause high cholesterol?

Results: Tamoxifen and toremifene lowered significantly serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels after 12 months of treatment by 16% and 15%, with no change in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or serum triglyceride levels.

Can you take statins with letrozole?

Interactions between your drugs No interactions were found between letrozole and Lipitor. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

What percentage of breast cancer survivors have a recurrence?

On average, 7 percent to 11 percent of women with early breast cancer experience a local recurrence during this time. For patients with a family history of cancer, or a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, the cancer recurrence rate is higher.

Is it true that statins increase the risk of breast cancer?

However, current evidence cannot exclude an increased risk of breast cancer with statin use in subsets of individuals, for example, the elderly. On the other hand, some studies show that statins might be useful to prevent recurrence and improve survival in patients already suffering from certain breast cancer types.

How are lipophilic statins used to treat breast cancer?

Women who used simvastatin, a lipophilic statin, had approximately 10 fewer breast cancer recurrences per 100 women after 10 years of follow-up compared with women who were not prescribed a statin. Women who took H-statins had about the same risk of breast cancer recurrence as women not taking statins.

How long do you stay on a statin for breast cancer?

Median follow-up was about 3 years but ranged from less than 1 year to 9 years. These are the kind of numbers that get our attention. Suddenly statins, in particular atorvastatin, could be considered a powerful therapy in breast cancer treatment.

How are statin drugs used to treat cancer?

Epidemiologic studies have, variably, shown the concomitant use of statin drugs to be beneficial to cancer outcomes. Statin drugs have been FDA approved for three decades for the treatment of high cholesterol and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and are widely used.