Statins could reduce bowel cancer risk

Treatments prescribed to lower cholesterol could also protect against cancer, scientists have found.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins more than halve the risk of developing bowel cancer, according to a new study.

The research involved more than 100 bowel cancer patients at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, along with 132 healthy adults.

Statins were found to reduce the risk of bowel cancer by 57%.

Patients who were taking high doses of statins or had been taking them for more than five years had an 80% lower chance of developing the disease, the researchers found.

The latest findings come as scientists investigate whether curcumin, which is found in the curry ingredient turmeric, could also help to treat bowel cancer.

The researchers said: 'Statins may have a protective effect against the development of colorectal cancer.

'Our case-control study shows that statin use was associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer and this effect was associated with a significant dose and duration response.'

The findings have been published in the journal BMC Gastroenterology.

Copyright Press Association 2012