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Statins prevent prostate cancer and reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction

Several recent studies suggest statins help reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction and prevent prostate cancer. All conclusions were to be reported Sunday in Chicago at the American Urological Association’s (AUA) annual meeting.

A study at the University of Toronto Medical Center in Ontario, Canada found that the use of statins at the time of surgery was associated with a 30 percent reduction in the risk of recurrence of prostate cancer. Researchers concluded that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins may explain the finding that men who were taking statins before undergoing surgical removal of their prostate had a lower risk of having the cancer return. However, the lead researcher thinks it might also be the ability of these drugs to lower cholesterol that has an effect on cancer cells.

The results of these studies are exciting, but researchers need more time to answer some questions such as the optimal dose, the length of time one needs to be taking statins to achieve a benefit, and whether starting statin therapy after surgery would have the same effect. [ read full article ]