For years, there have been conflicting reports concerning the role that cholesterol-lowering statins play in cancer risk. Some reports have associated statins with reduced risk of several cancers, including colorectal cancer. A recent study reported that achieving low levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol through statin use may increase the risk of cancer.

Researchers from Greece recently reported on a meta-analysis of 18 studies involving 1.5 million people. The subjects were in randomized controlled cardiac studies of statins or in case-controlled studies. No association was found between use of statins and the risk of colorectal cancer. The study appears in the Aug. 10, 2007, issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.