A Finnish study has uncovered that a common cholesterol medication could provide benefits for men with prostate cancer.
The study looked at 158 men who underwent prostate removal surgery. Participants took the cholesterol medication prior to surgery for 27 days on average.
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Prostate cancer cells were measured by examining the tissue protein of the removed prostates.
The researchers uncovered that taking the cholesterol medication for prolonged periods of time could slow down the growth of prostate cancer. The researchers determined that in the participants, prostate cancer cells slowed down, regardless of how aggressive it was.
Research group director Teemu Murtola explained, “The findings are significant as prostate cancer is the leading cancer for men in Finland. Annually, about 5,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 800 men die from it.”
The study is the first of its kind to use cholesterol medication as a means of reducing the spread of prostate cancer. Larger studies will be necessary to confirm findings and determine whether cholesterol medications should be prescribed for prostate cancer patients.
Also read:
- 10 best essential oils for high cholesterol reduction
- 4 factors that increase your risk of prostate cancer
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
