High-grade prostate cancer could be prevented by low cholesterol levels

18 Nov 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

Lower cholesterol does not lead to cancer and may in fact help to reduce the risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer.

This is according to two studies published in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention journal, which puts an end to the commonly-held belief that low cholesterol levels can cause certain types of cancer.

"In terms of public health message, we found that higher levels of 'good cholesterol' [HDL] seem to be protective for all cancers, which is in line with recommendations for cardiovascular health," explained US National Cancer Institute senior investigator Dr Demetrius Albanes.

Dr Albanes went on to say that higher levels of HDL are linked to a 14 per cent decreased risk of cancer.

It was also discovered that, if men had total cholesterol lower than 200mg/dL, they were 59 per cent less likely to suffer from high-grade prostate cancer.

The correct levels of cholesterol are important because the substance acts as the starting point for the manufacture of a number of the body's natural steroid hormones and for vitamin D.

Visit the Cholesterol Knowledge Centre

• LDL cholesterol levels on the decline in the US 21/11/09
• Selenium supplements could increase cholesterol levels 14/11/09
• High cholesterol levels linked to arrhythmias and sudden death 27/08/09
• Body fat cannot identify high cholesterol 04/08/09
• Individuals with high cholesterol at greater risk of dementia 04/08/09

• LIPITOR
  ... inadequate. Lipitor also raises HDL-cholesterol and lowers the LDL/HDL and total cholesterol/HDL ratios. Lipitor is also indicated as an adjunct to diet and other non-dietary measures in reducing elevated total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B in patients with homozygous familial ...
• LESCOL XL (statin)
  ... an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated total cholesterol (total-C), low- density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ), apolipoprotein B (apo B) and triglycerides (TG) levels and for the increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia and ...
• CHOLESTAGEL Film-Coated Tablets
  ... reduction in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia who are not adequately controlled with a statin alone. Cholestagel as monotherapy is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for reduction of elevated total and LDL- cholesterol in patients with isolated ...
• OLBETAM
  Olbetam is indicated for the treatment of lipid disorders characterised, according to Fredrickson, by elevated plasma levels of triglycerides (type IV hyperlipo-proteinaemia), or cholesterol (type IIA hyperlipoproteinaemia) and triglycerides and cholesterol (type IIB hyperlipoproteinaemia ...
• LOPID
  ... by hypertriglyceridaemia and/or low HDL-cholesterol. Primary hypercholesterolaemia, particularly when a statin is considered inappropriate or is not tolerated. Primary prevention Reduction of cardiovascular morbidity in males with increased non-HDL cholesterol and at high risk for a first ...
• Gemfibrozil
  ... hypertriglyceridaemia and/or low HDL- cholesterol . Primary hypercholesterolaemia, particularly when a statin is considered inappropriate or is not tolerated. Primary prevention Reduction of cardiovascular morbidity in males with increased non-HDL cholesterol and at high risk for a first ...