Researchers from the University of Manitoba followed patients who were regularly dispensed statins until they were diagnosed with CRC, moved out of the area, death or until Dec. 2005. The incidence of cancer was compared to a control group which was never issued statins. Stratified analysis was used to determine risk five years after regular statin use, according to the study.
In total, 10,287 patients were followed for five years. Researchers found that the incidence rate of CRC was similar to that of the control group. According to the study, the risk reduction seen in statin use was not statistically different from that of the control group.
Researchers concluded that the long-term benefit of high-dose statin use required further investigation.
Read the study about statins’ ability to reduce colorectal cancer risk.
