Millions of men in the United States take statins to lower their cholesterol, so there is a lot of available data to analyze and find associations between statin use and other conditions - such as prostate cancer. The relationship between statins and prostate cancer has been studied, but not in a prospective, well-controlled way.
What Do Limited Studies Show?
Some studies have compared men who did take statins with men who did not, and have shown a small amount of protection against developing prostate cancer.
On the other hand, other studies conducted in a very similar manner have shown no protective benefit whatsoever.
Overall, when all of the studies that have been done are evaluated, it seems that the data is essentially inconclusive. It is is simply not possible currently to tell whether statins actually have some protective benefit or not.
The Bottom Line
Some studies have shown a protective benefit from statins and some have not. More research is needed before a definite association between statin use and prostate cancer can be established.
Doctors are not currently advocating the use of statins as any kind of a preventive measure for men who are at increased risk of prostate cancer. Statins are currently prescribed nearly exclusively for their effects on cholesterol and not as a method for potentially preventing cancer.
Sources:
Coogan PF, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, et al. Statin use and the risk of breast and prostate cancer. Epidemiology. 2002. May;13(3):262-7.
Farwell WR, Scranton RE, Lawler EV, et al. The association between statins and cancer incidence in a veterans population. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008. Jan 16;100(2):134-9. Epub 2008 Jan 8.
Platz EA, Leitzmann MF, Visvanathan K, et al. Statin drugs and risk of advanced prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006. Dec 20;98(24):1819-25.
